Museum

Submarine Technology Overview PDF Print E-mail

Submarine Technology Overview

Come aboard and step into the exciting world of submarine technology.  Learn the transformation from crude containers designed to keep the water out to the nuclear powered steel underwater sharks of today!

Capture the leaps of technology including:

Image of the TurtleRevolutionary War

David Bushnell created the Turtle that delivered his new, improved underwater bomb against the British warships in New York Harbor with surprising effects in the American War of Independence.

 

Hunley Submarine PhotoCivil War

The human powered Confederate submarine Hunley sunk the Union warship Housatonic, one and a half miles at sea off Charleston harbor in February 1864. Lost for over a hundred thirty years, this submersible was discovered and raised in 2000 from her resting place in the sand where she sank after her attack.

World Wars One and Twobowfin-pearl-harbor

With the battle fleet on the bottom of Pearl Harbor, the modern high speed surface raider, the Fleet submarine, one exampe of which is the USS Bowfin, destroyed the bulk of Imperial Japanese shipping. Walk through the submarine in the steps of those heroes who scored the amazing victories as a small team while suffering devastating losses.

 

Ohio Class SubmarineCold War to Present

Capable of electronically picking your pocket or destroying an enemy's submarines, these sleek, neuclear powered sharks of steel are currently our front line of defense.

Understand the need for stealth and quiet as these submarines accomplish their missions around the sometimes hostile world while surviving deep underwater.

USS Ohio

USS Hawaii

 
 

Secrets of the Sub

Victory At Cost

Victory at a cost

During World War II, The United States Submarine Force, encompassing less than 2% of the U.S. Navy's fleet, inflicted destruction on Japanese maritime power. U.S. submarines were responsible for sinking over 30% of the Japanese Navy including eight aircraft carriers, one battleship and eleven cruisers.  More importantly, the Submarine Force sank 2,400 Japanese merchant ships totaling 4.9 million tons.

Chart of Enemy Ships

However, this success did not come without risk. Out of a total of 14,000 submariners who fought in peril under the sea took losses of over 3,500 officers and men.  Approximately one in four submariners never returned.

victory-bonefish-plaque-2_web

The USS Bonefish submarine plaque is one of fifty-two memorials at the Waterfront Memorial at Bowfin Park.