SUBMARINE HISTORY
ORIGINS:
While submarines have
been a part of United States history as far back as the American Revolution and
David Bushnell’s Turtle, the US
Submarine Force officially came into existence on 11 April 1900.
It was on that date that
the US Navy purchased the Holland VI,
a submarine designed and built by Irish-American inventor John Philip
Holland. Commissioned in October of that
year as USS Holland (SS-1), the
vessel was equipped with one 18-inch reloadable torpedo tube and one 8.4-inch
dynamite gun. USS Holland was propelled on the surface at speeds up to 8 knots by
a 45-horsepower gasoline engine.
USS Holland on a Marine Railway for Maintenance
SUBMARINE WARFARE
INSIGNIA
On 13 June 1923, Captain
Ernest J. King – Commander Submarine Division THREE – suggested to the
Secretary of the Navy that a distinguishing device for qualified submariners be
adopted. The design eventually approved
depicted a bow view of a submarine (S-class) proceeding on the surface with bow
planes rigged for dive, flanked by dolphins in the horizontal position with
their heads resting on the upper edge of the planes.
To earn the right to
wear ‘fish,’ prospective submariners must complete an extensive qualification
process that lasts about a year and covers virtually every system aboard the
submarine. Crew members must learn basic
knowledge of all systems on board, their uses, operations, and
interrelationships with other systems.
They must then complete a qualification board which includes knowledge
of damage control procedures and to be able to draw and recite the
specifications of any equipment aboard the submarine. Finally, they must be certified by the
submarine’s commanding officer before they can pin the coveted emblem on their
uniform – Gold for officers, Silver for enlisted.
Click HERE
for more information on Submarine Dolphins.
WORLD WAR II:
While submarine
technology advanced rapidly during the early 20th Century – diesel
engines replacing dangerous gasoline-powered engines, more powerful batteries
allowing for longer duration submergence, escape procedures and technology –
the American Submarine Force matured rapidly with the onset of World War II.
Following the surprise
attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the only viable fighting force available to
take the war to the Japanese were the submarines stationed in the Philippines,
Australia, and Hawaii.
Gato Class Fleet Boat of World War II
Over the course of World
War II, US Submarines comprised only 1.6% of the US Navy, but accounted for
more than 55% of all Japanese losses, including the sinking of 4.9 million tons
– or 60% - of all Japanese merchant marine losses and 700,000 tons – or 30% -
of Japanese Naval losses, including 8 aircraft carriers, 1 battleship, and 11
cruisers! Additionally, 504 downed
airmen – including future US President George H.W. Bush – were rescued by
submarines on lifeguard duty.
However, of the 288 US
Submarines deployed during World War II, 52 submarines were lost, with 48
destroyed in the war zones of the Pacific.
American submariners suffered the highest loss rate in the US Armed
Forces during World War II, with 22% - or 3505 men – killed.
THE COLD WAR:
With the advent of
Nuclear Power and the rise of the Soviet Union following World War II, the
mission of the US Submarine Force changed to that of deterrence and
espionage. Under the guidance of Admiral
Hyman G. Rickover, the US Navy launched the world’s first nuclear-powered
vessel – USS Nautilus SSN-571 – on 21
January 1954.
Nuclear-powered fast
attack submarines (SSNs) like Nautilus
and her descendants tracked Soviet submarines throughout the Cold War, learning
their capabilities and weaknesses and developing countermeasures and tactics to
defeat the Soviet threat. Meanwhile, in
June 1959, the Navy launched USS George
Washington SSBN-598, the first Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBNs)
capable of launching nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles from any of the world’s
oceans while submerged. Since that day,
SSBNs have conducted over 4000 deterrence patrols.
An Ohio (SSBN 726) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine
THE GOLBAL WAR ON
TERROR:
With the collapse of the
Soviet Union in December 1991 and the subsequent end of the Cold War, the
mission of the US Submarine Force continued to evolve. While still proficient in Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW) techniques, fast attack crews also trained in Strike Warfare
capabilities – launching Tomahawk Cruise Missiles at targets hundreds of miles
inland – and supporting Special Operations by carrying Navy SEAL Teams in and
out of war zones unseen.
Then, on 11 September
2001, the Submarine Force found itself on the tip of the spear as submarines
deployed in the Middle East launched attacks against al-Qaeda targets in
Afghanistan in retaliation for the terrorist attacks in New York City,
Washington DC, and Pennsylvania to begin what would be known as the Global War
on Terror (GWOT).
USS Missouri SSN-780, a 774 (Virginia) Class Fast Attack Submarine
Even today, ballistic
missile submarines continue their never-ending deterrent patrols, while fast
attack submarines ensure free movement across all oceans and guided missile
submarines (SSGNs) conduct land-attack strike missions and transport special
operations troops to hotspots around the globe.
SUBMARINE HISTORY
PRESENTATION
The site author – Peter J.
Koester – is also the National Historian for the United States Submarine
Veterans, Inc, and has prepared a multi-media presentation on the History of
the US Submarine Force and the Loss of USS
Thresher. The presentation can be
either a 30-minute or 60-minute presentation and goes into much greater detail
than this web page can allow.
If you or an
organization you are a member of are located in the New England region and
would be interested in scheduling a Submarine History Presentation, contact
Peter at subguyss@verizon.net
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