War Of 1812: The Invention Of The Submarine
U-boat Utility
Caitlin Clancy
Military Science 27
Colonel Lieutenant Davis
May 17th, 2012
Word Count: 1908
At one point in time, weapons of warfare consisted of slingshots and bows and arrows that proved to cause minimal damage to the opposing side. Yet as technological advancements significantly improved and innovative construction techniques surfaced, surprise attacks became more common that often caused a reputable amount of destruction to occur. While initial battles were mostly land-based, the invention of the submarine provided a new source for stealth and power as opponents often found difficulty providing defense and counterattacks to the underwater vessel. Not only do submarines allow for commanding …show more content…
For a couple centuries though, little headway was evident despite many strenuous efforts. During the War of 1812, Robert Fulton experimented with simple submarines numerous times. His most remembered trial was with the Nautilus, but both that submarine and his following ones were overall weak displays that gathered barely any interest from the French and Royal Navy who he had hoped to impress. He even constructed basic torpedoes that were able to sink anchored ships in hopes of gaining the support of the English …show more content…
Early on in World War II, Gato-class boats carried the brunt of the U.S. submarine war. Once combining with 122 other boats of similar class but with thicker pressure hull for increased operating depth, even more damage was done. In essence, World War II submarines were surface ships that could usually travel underwater when need be. Their diesel engines provided them with long range and high surface speed; electric motors powered by storage batteries kept them running while underwater. The only issue was its inability to stay charged for excessive periods of time. Still, in the years of 1945 and 1955, the submarine was transformed as it became a true underwater boat that was easily capable of moving and fighting for weeks on end without needing to rise to the surface for more energy. Such ideas spurred from the Allies capturing German U-boats in World War II, as German progression exceeded that of America’s. Streamline hulls and snorkels were two dominant revisions that affected submarine efficiency. Guppy (great underwater propulsive power) was a U.S. Navy program invented to upgrade both the underwater speed as well as the endurance of existing boats. New hull designs that appeared teardrop-shaped were completed so that attaining high speeds would come forth unquestionably. In fact, in 1953, USS Albacore attained a remarkable submerged speed well over 25 knots. The snorkel also
Caitlin Clancy
Military Science 27
Colonel Lieutenant Davis
May 17th, 2012
Word Count: 1908
At one point in time, weapons of warfare consisted of slingshots and bows and arrows that proved to cause minimal damage to the opposing side. Yet as technological advancements significantly improved and innovative construction techniques surfaced, surprise attacks became more common that often caused a reputable amount of destruction to occur. While initial battles were mostly land-based, the invention of the submarine provided a new source for stealth and power as opponents often found difficulty providing defense and counterattacks to the underwater vessel. Not only do submarines allow for commanding …show more content…
For a couple centuries though, little headway was evident despite many strenuous efforts. During the War of 1812, Robert Fulton experimented with simple submarines numerous times. His most remembered trial was with the Nautilus, but both that submarine and his following ones were overall weak displays that gathered barely any interest from the French and Royal Navy who he had hoped to impress. He even constructed basic torpedoes that were able to sink anchored ships in hopes of gaining the support of the English …show more content…
Early on in World War II, Gato-class boats carried the brunt of the U.S. submarine war. Once combining with 122 other boats of similar class but with thicker pressure hull for increased operating depth, even more damage was done. In essence, World War II submarines were surface ships that could usually travel underwater when need be. Their diesel engines provided them with long range and high surface speed; electric motors powered by storage batteries kept them running while underwater. The only issue was its inability to stay charged for excessive periods of time. Still, in the years of 1945 and 1955, the submarine was transformed as it became a true underwater boat that was easily capable of moving and fighting for weeks on end without needing to rise to the surface for more energy. Such ideas spurred from the Allies capturing German U-boats in World War II, as German progression exceeded that of America’s. Streamline hulls and snorkels were two dominant revisions that affected submarine efficiency. Guppy (great underwater propulsive power) was a U.S. Navy program invented to upgrade both the underwater speed as well as the endurance of existing boats. New hull designs that appeared teardrop-shaped were completed so that attaining high speeds would come forth unquestionably. In fact, in 1953, USS Albacore attained a remarkable submerged speed well over 25 knots. The snorkel also