Naval History and Heritage Command

Submarines have a long history in the United States, beginning with Turtle, during the American Revolution. The world’s first combat submarine, invented by David Bushnell, was devised as a means of breaking the British blockade of Boston Harbor but was unsuccessful on multiple attempts. The U.S. Navy officially joined the undersea world when it purchased USS Holland (SS-1) on 11 April 1900, and commissioned her on 12 October 1900. The boat, designed by John P. Holland, proved valuable for experimental purposes during her 10-year career.

Although submarines did not play a large part for the U.S. during World War I, submarines such as USS K-5 (Submarine No. 36), one of the first U.S. diesel-electric submarines, deployed to the Azores patrolling for German submarines. World War II was when the submarine force became the workhorse of the U.S. Navy. Assessments indicated that U.S. submarines sank 540,192 tons of Japanese naval vessels, and 4,779,902 tons of merchant shipping during the course of the war, accounting for 54.6 percent of all Japanese vessel losses.

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) — developed by Hyman G. Rickover — was the first nuclear-powered submarine, and the first submarine to cross the North Pole under the Arctic polar ice pack. USS George Washington (SSBN-598) made history on 20 July 1960, when she successfully launched the first Polaris from a submerged submarine. The Tomahawk land-attack missile was later developed, and was first used by, submarines in combat during Operation Desert Storm by USS Louisville (SSN-724) and USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720).

Today’s submarine force is the most capable force in the world and the history of the U.S. Navy. The composition of the current force consists of Los Angeles, Ohio, Seawolf, and Virginia-class submarines.

The Naval Undersea Museum and Submarine Force Museum
The Naval Undersea Museum collects, preserves, and interprets naval undersea history, science, and operations for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and the people of the United States. The Submarine Force Museum collects, preserves and interprets the history of the United States Naval Submarine Force in order to honor veterans and to educate naval personnel and the public in the heritage and traditions of the U.S. Submarine Force and its relationship to America’s freedom.

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Video: The History of Submarines

Submarines have a long history in the United States, beginning with Turtle, during the American Revolution. The world’s first combat submarine, invented by David Bushnell, was devised as a means of breaking the British blockade of Boston Harbor but was unsuccessful on multiple attempts.

The U.S. Navy officially joined the undersea world when it purchased USS Holland (SS-1) on 11 April 1900, and commissioned her on 12 October 1900. The boat, designed by John P. Holland, proved valuable for experimental purposes during her 10-year career. Since then submarines have evolved dramatically, but remain a vital part of the American fleet.

Notable Submariners

• David Bushnell
• H.L. Hunley
• John P. Holland
• Richard H. O’Kane
• Slade D. Cutter
• Dudley W. Morton
• Edward L. Beach
• Howard W. Gilmore
• William R. Anderson
• John P. Cromwell
• Chancellor Alphonso "Pete" Tzomes

Notable Submarines

• Turtle
• Holland (SS-1)
• Tang (SS-306)
• Flasher (SS-249)
• Wahoo (SS-238)
• Seahorse (SS-304)
• Seawolf (SS-197)
• Silversides (SS-236)
• Bowfin (SS-287)
• Tautog (SS-199)
• Rasher (SS-269)
• Nautilus (SSN-571)
• Scorpion (SSN-589)
• Growler (SSG-577)
• Skate (SSN-578)
• Triton (SSR(N)-586)
• Thresher (SSN-593)
• Tullibee (SSN-597)
• Narwhal (SS (N)-671)
• Los Angeles (SSN-688)
• George Washington (SSBN-598)

H-Grams

• H-019-3: U.S. Navy Non-Combat Submarine Losses and Major Accidents
• H-022-4: Loss of USS Wahoo (SS-238) and Lieutenant Commander “Mush” Morton
• H-008-3: Torpedo Versus Torpedo
• H-015: “Take Her Down!”

Art Exhibit

• A View From the Periscope

Underwater Archaeology Sites and Projects

• H.L. Hunley

Further Resources

• Commander Task Force Operation Plan 1-45
• Current Doctrine Submarines USF 25(A)
• Submarine Warfare Insignia (Dolphins)
• United States Submarine Losses, World War II
• The U-boat Threat in the Caribbean: Opportunities Lost
• Ultra and the Campaign Against the U-boats in World War II
• The Sinking of the USS Housatonic by the Submarine CSS H.L. Hunley, off Charleston, South Carolina, 17 February 1864
• Submarine Combat Patrols Against Japan 1942–45
• Submarine Battle Flags of World War II
• Pearl Harbor Submarine Base: 1918–1945
• Post 1946 Submarine Patrol Reports, 1946–1963
• Submarine Silhouette Book No. 1
• Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack
• German Submarine Attacks
• Submarine Cartoon: August 1917

Selected Imagery