The Evolution of Submarines: Timeline

Legends suggest that Alexander the Great may have used a diving bell during the Siege of Tyre in 332 BCE, though these stories remain unverified. We hope you enjoy The Evolution of Submarines Timeline.

1578

William Borne drafts the first submarine design, based on ballast tanks for submerging and surfacing. These principles remain in use in modern submarines. Englishman William Bourne designed the prototype for a submarine, though it’s unclear if it was ever built. This enclosed wooden boat covered in leather featured screw threads, adjustable plungers, and cranksets.

1620

Dutchman Cornelis Drebbel, serving King James I of England, designs and builds a submersible. Drebbel conceives and constructs an oared submersible, addressing the issue of air replenishment while submerged. Two improved versions were tested in the River Thames between 1620 and 1624. Drebbel’s submarines were advanced for their time, utilizing a quicksilver barometer for depth measurement and a chemical process involving saltpeter to refresh the air.

1720

Yefim Nikonov builds a military submarine on the orders of Peter the Great of Russia. The vessel was designed to approach enemy ships undetected and launch a combustible mixture at them via tubes. Nikonov also includes an airlock in his design, but the project is canceled after Peter the Great’s death in 1725.

1776

The United States built its first submarine, “The Turtle.” It is intended for attacking the British warship HMS Eagle but the details of its use remain unclear. David Bushnell built the one-man human-powered Turtle submarine, which attempted to sink the British warship HMS Eagle during the American Revolution. This marks the first use of a submarine in naval combat.

1798

Robert Fulton builds the Nautilus submarine, incorporating both a sail for surface propulsion and a hand-cranked screw for submerged operations.

1800

The French build the successful combat submarine “Nautilus,” based on a design by American engineer Robert Fulton. Despite successful trials, the project is abandoned.

1830s

Russians create rocket-equipped submarines (1834). Submarino Hipopótamo, the first South American submarine, is built and tested in Ecuador (1837) but is canceled due to lack of government interest.

1850

Wilhelm Bauer, a Bavarian inventor, builds the Brandtaucher to end the Danish blockade of Germany. Funding restrictions lead to a smaller, less capable version, which ultimately sinks but is later retrieved and is now the world’s oldest surviving submarine.

1863

The French launch Plongeur, the first submarine not reliant on human power. It uses compressed air for propulsion but is challenging to handle and maneuver.

1867

The Ictineo II, originally human-powered, is retrofitted to become the first submarine powered by a combustion engine.

1860s

Both the Union and the Confederacy use submarines during the American Civil War. The Confederate H.L. Hunley becomes the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. The Sub Marine Explorer, built by German-American engineer Julius H. Kroehl, achieves significant depth and safety features.

1870s

Submarines begin experimenting with steam power, leading to designs like the Nordenfelt series of submarines armed with torpedoes.

1880s

Electric battery technology improves submarine propulsion systems. Diesel engines are introduced, allowing submarines to operate on the surface while recharging batteries, a system still used today in many submarines.

1895

John P. Holland introduces the Holland VII and later the Holland VIII in 1900. The Holland VIII, equipped with a petroleum engine for surface propulsion and an electric engine for submerged operations, becomes the blueprint for submarine design worldwide up to 1914.

1904

The French submarine Aigette becomes the first submarine with a diesel engine for surface propulsion and an electric engine for submerged operations. Diesel fuel, less volatile than petroleum, becomes the preferred choice for conventional submarines.

World War I

All major powers deploy submarines, playing pivotal roles in naval warfare.

World War II

German U-Boats become a significant threat in the Atlantic, introducing the “wolfpack” tactic. The U.S. and Japan also achieve successes with their submarine fleets.

1943

The German U-boat U-264 is equipped with a snorkel mast, providing air to the diesel engine and allowing the submarine to operate at a shallow depth while recharging the batteries.

1944

The German U-791 experiments with Hydrogen Peroxide as an alternative fuel source for submarines.

Post-World War II

The Cold War era sees the development of nuclear-powered submarines with ballistic missile capabilities. These vessels are quieter and have extended endurance, limited mainly by food and morale.

1954

The U.S. launches the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. This groundbreaking development allows submarines to operate underwater indefinitely. The Naval nuclear propulsion plant’s development was led by a team of Navy, government, and contractor engineers, with Captain Hyman G. Rickover at the helm.

1958

The U.S. introduces the USS Albacore, featuring a “tear drop” hull design aimed at reducing underwater resistance and enhancing submerged speed and maneuverability. This innovation leads to the development of the USS Skipjack submarine class.

1959

The USS George Washington becomes the world’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile-firing submarine, further advancing the capabilities of nuclear-powered submarines.
Now featured at OMSI, the USS Blueback (SS-581) is a Barbel-class submarine that served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1990.

1960s-2000s

Submarine technology continues to advance with developments in stealth, sonar, and propulsion systems. Modern submarines are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, making them more versatile and lethal than ever before.

Present

Submarines continue to grow in size, with the Russian Typhoon class being the largest in the world, measuring 574 feet in length. The Falklands War sees the first sinking of a ship by a nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Conqueror. Ongoing advancements in submarine technology focus on improving stealth, reducing noise, increasing endurance, and enhancing communication capabilities. The development of next-generation submarines, including those with unmanned capabilities, remains a priority for naval forces worldwide.

Scientific Exploration

Submersibles like DSV Limiting Factor and Deepsea Challenger have reached the Mariana Trench, the ocean’s deepest point. These missions expand our understanding of the deep sea but also reveal issues like plastic pollution.

Submarine Disasters

Tragedies like the sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk in 2000 serve as grim reminders of the dangers involved in submarine operations. More recent tragedies include Oceansgate.

The Future

Military submarines continue to evolve, becoming faster, quieter, and more lethal. Scientific submarines, equipped with advanced materials and sensitive equipment, push the boundaries of human exploration in the oceans. Submarines remain critical in both spheres, with their roles and capabilities continually evolving.

Watch & Learn More