When was the first submarine made?

When was the First Submarine Made?

The concept of a submarine, a vessel that can operate underwater, has been around for centuries. The first attempts at building a submarine date back to the 17th century, but it wasn’t until the late 18th century that the first successful submarine was built. In this article, we will explore the history of submarine development and answer the question: when was the first submarine made?

Early Attempts at Building a Submarine

The first recorded attempt at building a submarine was made by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century. Da Vinci designed a submersible vessel that could be propelled underwater using a hand-cranked screw. However, the design was never built or tested.

In the 17th century, English inventor William Bourne proposed a design for a submersible vessel that could be propelled using a hand-cranked screw. The design was never built, but it laid the foundation for future submarine development.

The First Successful Submarine

The first successful submarine was built by American inventor David Bushnell in 1775. Bushnell’s submarine, known as the Turtle, was a hand-powered vessel that was designed to attach explosives to British warships during the American Revolutionary War. The Turtle was made of wood and weighed around 4 tons. It was propelled using a hand-cranked screw and had a crew of one.

The Turtle‘s First Mission

On September 7, 1776, the Turtle attempted to attach explosives to the hull of the British warship HMS Eagle. The mission was unsuccessful, as the Turtle was unable to reach the warship’s hull due to a faulty propeller. Despite the failure, the Turtle marked an important milestone in submarine development.

Other Early Submarines

In the late 18th century, other inventors and engineers began to experiment with submarine design. One of the most notable early submarines was the Nautilus, built by American inventor Robert Fulton in 1800. The Nautilus was a hand-powered submarine that was designed to be used for reconnaissance and combat. It was made of wood and weighed around 10 tons.

Modern Submarine Development

In the 19th century, submarine development began to accelerate. The introduction of steam power and iron and steel construction allowed for the building of larger and more complex submarines. The first modern submarine, the USS Alligator, was built by the United States Navy in 1862. The USS Alligator was a steam-powered submarine that was designed for combat and reconnaissance.

Table: Early Submarines

Conclusion

The first submarine was built by American inventor David Bushnell in 1775. The Turtle was a hand-powered vessel that was designed to attach explosives to British warships during the American Revolutionary War. Although the Turtle‘s first mission was unsuccessful, it marked an important milestone in submarine development. Over the next century, submarine design and technology continued to evolve, leading to the development of modern submarines that are used for a variety of purposes, including combat, reconnaissance, and research.

Bullets List: Key Points

• The first recorded attempt at building a submarine was made by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century.
• The first successful submarine was built by American inventor David Bushnell in 1775.
• The Turtle was a hand-powered vessel that was designed to attach explosives to British warships during the American Revolutionary War.
• The Turtle‘s first mission was unsuccessful, but it marked an important milestone in submarine development.
• The introduction of steam power and iron and steel construction allowed for the building of larger and more complex submarines.
• The first modern submarine, the USS Alligator, was built by the United States Navy in 1862.