Story Mode = 'Enabled'
History of Submarines
 |
| Fig:- First Known design of submarine by Leonardo da Vinci |
The concept of submarines dates back centuries. The first known design was sketched by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century but the first successful submarine was built in 19th century. Submarines have played a significant role in naval warfare and exploration.
 |
| Fig:- First Submarine 'Turtle' designed by David Bushnell |
The first submarine to be built was the Turtle, designed by David Bushnell during the American Revolution. The Turtle was a hand-cranked vessel made of wood and covered in leather to make it watertight. The submarine was used in an unsuccessful attempt to attach an explosive device to a British ship in New York Harbor.
 |
| Fig:- The Confederate Submarine H.L Hunley |
Inventors continued to experiment in 1800s but the first successful attack by a submarine was carried out in 1864. The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sank the Union warship USS Housatonic off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina and became the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel.
| Fig:- French Submarine Le Plongeur |
Then the development of the internal combustion engine allowed for more advanced submarine designs. The first practical submarine was the French Navy's Plongeur, which was launched in 1863. The Plongeur was the first submarine to use compressed air for submersion and resurfacing.
 |
| Fig:- Spanish Ictineo II |
The first successful submarine to be powered by an internal combustion engine was the Spanish Navy's Ictineo II, which was launched in 1867. The Ictineo II was the first submarine to be equipped with torpedoes and successfully conducted a torpedo attack during testing.
During World War I, submarines played a significant role in naval warfare, with Germany using them to wage a submarine campaign against Allied shipping. The German U-boat campaign successfully sunk a significant number of Allied ships, however ultimately failed to defeat the Allies.
 |
| Fig:- The German U-boat during WWI and WWII |
During World War II, submarines played an even more significant role in naval warfare as both Allied and Axis powers used them extensively for different purposes. The German U-boat campaign was once again successful in sinking a significant number of Allied ships, but the Allies ultimately prevailed by using advanced technologies, such as radar and sonar, to locate and destroy enemy submarine. Both the United States and the Soviet Union increased using nuclear-powered submarines to conduct surveillance and deterrence operations.
Today, submarines continue to be used by navies around the world, with advanced technologies, such as stealth technology, making them even more effective. Submarines are also used for civilian purposes, such as scientific research and undersea exploration.
Happy Reading :D