The US Navy’s undersea service will be 119 on 11 April!
Description: In drydock, circa 1900, probably soon after she entered Navy service. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Catalog #: NH 59
Head over to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s (NHHC) site and learn all about the Submarine Force’s great history. The excerpt below was taken from a longer discussion which can be found by clicking https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/communities/submarines.html.
“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.”
(Above photo taken from NHHC website at https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-00001/NH-59.html)
Naval Order of the US - Northwest 