THE HISTORY OF SUBMARINES

Jasper H, Year 11 writes...

The history of submarines dates to ancient times, with the earliest known designs for underwater vessels appearing in the 4th century BC. These early submarines, called “submersibles,” were primarily used for salvage and exploration, and were often made of wood or animal skins.

The first recorded military use of submarines occurred during the American Revolutionary War, when the Continental Navy built and used the Turtle, a one-man submersible that was used in an unsuccessful attempt to attach a bomb to a British warship.

In the nineteenth century, advances in technology, such as the development of the steam engine and the electric motor, led to the creation of more advanced submarines. The first successful military submarine, the CSS Hunley, was used by the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War.

The advent of the twentieth century saw further evolution, with the development of the first diesel-electric submarines and the first submarines equipped with torpedoes.

During World War I, submarines played a major role in naval battles, with both the Allies and the Central Powers using them for commerce raiding and naval blockades.

In World War II, submarines were used extensively by both the Axis and Allied powers. The German Navy used them to devastating effect in the Battle of the Atlantic, while the U.S. Navy used submarines to disrupt Japanese supply lines in the Pacific.

After the war, submarines continued to evolve, with the development of nuclear propulsion and the introduction of guided missiles. Today, submarines are a vital component of many countries’ naval forces and are used for a wide range of missions, including intelligence gathering, special operations, and strategic deterrence.

While the history of submarines has been marked by significant advances in technology, it has also been marked by the loss of lives, as well as the development of submarines with the ability to launch nuclear weapons and the potential to cause catastrophic damage.