EVERYTHING YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE MILITARY SUBMARINE
Those who are a part of the United States Submarine Force are brave enough to take a military submarine and explore the depths of the waters where few people would dare to go. Submarines have been a part of the United States Navy since April 11, 1900, when they purchased their first submarine and commissioned her on October 12 of the same year. More like this:America Tried to Blow up the British Using the First Submarine in Warfare
The History of the Military Submarine
The history of submarines dates back to the mid-twentieth century after thousands of years of people finding themselves fascinated and curious about the depths of our oceans. For years, multiple people attempted to create a submarine with submersible boat designs, but none succeeded until the year 1900.
The First Sub
The very first military submarine was called the “Turtle” and was created by David Bushnell, an undergraduate student at Yale University, for the American Revolution. Bushnell called his vessel Turtle simply because the shape reminded him of two tortoise shells being put together. The submarine was meant to break the British blockade of Boston Harbor, but it was unsuccessful. After multiple attempts, the Turtle eventually sank due to navigation and tide malfunctions. The Turtle was recovered from the water, but it never served again.
The First Successful Sub
The first successful military submarine was created by John Holland, who began designing and building submarines a decade after the Civil War. In 1875, Holland submitted his first design to the U.S. Navy, but it was dismissed as impractical. In 1888, the United States Navy realized that submarines may be useful to them and held a design competition for a new underwater vessel. Holland won the competition, and five years later, he started building the Plunger. He then began working on the USS Holland and put up one of the first military submarines for sale, which he ended up persuading the Navy to purchase. Six months later, the USS Holland was the first military submarine in submarine history to be a part of the United States Navy.
Deepest Diving Sub
After their first submarine purchase, the United States Navy went on to purchase more and more submarines, including the deepest diving military submarine: the Trieste. The Trieste is a Swiss-designed, Italian-built deep-diving submarine. This submarine can go a little over 35,000 feet deep. It was sold to the United States in 1958 for about $250,000.
History of the Submarine Force
The United States Navy’s Submarine Force is composed of hundreds of Sailors who live and work together for months at a time underwater. The American public has come to reference the submarine force as the Silent Service. This is accurate to the force and the history of submarines simply because of how it operates. Military submarines submerge more than 600 feet under the ocean’s surface for up to four months at a time. Submarines constantly patrol and work classified missions that you can’t see them doing. Just know they’re always silently moving across the sea. The Submarine Force became the workhorse of the United States Navy during World War II, as it’s been recorded that over 500,000 tons of Japanese vessels and almost 5 million tons of merchant shipping were sunk by United States military submarines during the war.
How Many Submarines Does the U.S. Military Have?
Currently, the United States Naval Submarine Force has a total of 70 military submarines. This includes 53 fast-attack submarines, 14 ballistic missile submarines, which carry more than 54% of the United States nuclear deterrent arsenal, and four guided-missile submarines. The Submarine Force also has Naval ships that are called Submarine Tenders. These ships are meant to tend to submarines that are out in the middle of the ocean. They restock working military submarines with supplies wherever they’re located.
How Do You End Up Working on a Submarine?
Working on a military submarine is a demanding job, but if you’re interested in exploring the depths of the ocean, the job may be for you. To become a military submarine worker, first, you must join the United States Navy. To work on a submarine, the workers usually volunteer since it’s such a grueling position. Submariners have to pass the usual tests and assessments for Naval personnel and go through specific training before officially working on a submarine. With the tight quarters and lack of daylight, submariners aren’t even a little claustrophobic. They must be aware that their sleeping schedule might be messed up and should be skilled in technology. Some are required to have experience in things like nuclear power, sonar operation, weaponry, and electricity. Being aboard a military submarine also makes it hard for submariners to stay in touch with their loved ones considering they’re underwater for months at a time. Sailors who are considering becoming a submariner should consider the difficulty of staying in touch with their loved ones while serving at the depths of the sea. Read next:See the World's First Successful Combat Sub at Friends of the Hunley
Image: General Dynamics Electric Boat P | Credit: U.S. Navy
TAGS: