Summary of "The Invention And Development of Submarines I THE GREAT WAR Special"
Concise summary — main ideas and takeaways
The episode traces how the submarine evolved from an experimental curiosity into a decisive weapon by World War I. Incremental technical advances (propulsion, torpedoes, engines) and the work of key inventors made submarines increasingly practical and deadly. Naval doctrine, however, lagged behind capability: many navies initially saw submarines mainly as coastal defenders, but early wartime successes forced recognition of their offensive power.
Key lessons:
- Innovation often comes from outside established institutions.
- The decisive technological combination was electric motors for submerged running plus internal‑combustion engines for surface running, together with improved torpedoes.
- Doctrine and leadership decisions (both embrace and dismissal) shaped how quickly fleets adopted submarines.
Chronological and technical highlights
Early status and attitudes
- Submarines had existed for centuries but were experimental and unreliable until the late 19th century.
- Pre‑war attitudes varied:
- Britain was the early world leader in submarines.
- Germany initially resisted development; Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz dismissed them in 1904.
- Kaiser Wilhelm II’s personal enthusiasm after trying a submarine overrode Tirpitz and launched the German U‑boat program.
John Philip Holland (critical inventor)
- Irish engineer who significantly advanced submarine design.
- Early career: US Navy at first rejected his design; he secured funding from the Fenian Brotherhood, had disputes, and at one point hid a submarine in Connecticut (now displayed in Paterson City Museum, NJ).
- In 1897 he launched the first practical submarine with meaningful range, combining electric motors for underwater propulsion and a gasoline engine for surface cruising.
- Around 1900 the US Navy purchased his prototype and ordered more. His company, the Electric Boat Company, later became part of what is now General Dynamics.
Propulsion evolution
- Holland’s two‑motor system (electric submerged, internal‑combustion on surface) became the global standard.
- Around 1912 navies replaced gasoline with diesel engines as diesel was safer and less flammable.
Torpedo development
- Robert Whitehead (1866) developed the compressed‑air Whitehead torpedo for harbor defense; by the 1890s speeds approached ~56 km/h.
- Experiments combining submarines and torpedoes occurred in the 1880s–1890s (e.g., Isaac Peral’s 1889 submarine fired three Whitehead torpedoes).
- Early torpedoes were launched from the sides of submarines; by the 20th century torpedo tubes were fitted on decks and later built into protected parts of ships and submarines.
Demonstrations and changing doctrine before WWI
- Britain ordered several Holland‑type boats by 1900; in 1904 submarines “torpedoed” four warships during maneuvers, surprising many.
- Despite such tests, many senior naval authorities continued to view submarines primarily as harbor/coastal defenders into the 1910s.
- In 1912 British submarines infiltrated anchorages and simulated attacks; the Admiralty downplayed these demonstrations, and the offensive potential was not universally accepted.
- Admiral Percy Scott (June 1914) argued that submarines and aeroplanes had revolutionized naval warfare and urged abandoning battleships; he was publicly attacked for that stance.
Opening months of WWI — the turning point
- August 1914: HMS Pathfinder was the first ship torpedoed by a submarine using standard torpedo tubes.
- Two weeks later the German U‑9 sank three British cruisers in about an hour — a watershed moment demonstrating submarine offensive potency.
Limitations of early submarines
- Limited submerged speed and endurance — subs needed to be pre‑positioned before an attack.
- Poor underwater visibility made navigation and targeting difficult when submerged.
- Surface speed was often slower than many warships’ cruising speeds.
- Radio communications were primitive; transmitting revealed a sub’s position, so subs typically only had receiving capability and avoided transmitting.
Impact in World War I
- At the outbreak of war (approximate numbers):
- Britain: 74 submarines in service, 34 under construction.
- Germany: 28 in service, 17 under construction.
- France, Russia, and the United States also had submarines in service.
- Germany rapidly expanded its U‑boat fleet during the war. German submarines sank roughly 5,000 ships totaling about 13 million tons, making the submarine a defining weapon of modern naval warfare.
Notable quotes and perspectives
“The war is going to be won by inventions.” — Jacky (Jackie) Fisher, British First Sea Lord (1915)
“The submarine is… of no great value in war at sea. We have no money to waste on experimental vessels.” — Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz (1904)
[Kaiser Wilhelm II’s enthusiasm after riding a submarine altered German policy and led to U‑boat development.]
“Submarines and aeroplanes have entirely revolutionized naval warfare.” — Admiral Percy Scott (June 1914)
Practical and operational takeaways (for adoption or countermeasures)
- Critical technologies to combine:
- Reliable submerged electric propulsion.
- Safe, efficient surface engines (diesel).
- Effective self‑propelled torpedoes with protected launch systems.
- Doctrine must adapt to new capabilities — realistic tests (e.g., insertion into anchorages, simulated attacks) reveal vulnerabilities and should drive strategy changes.
- Communications require a balance between stealth and situational awareness; early submarines favored receiving‑only to avoid radio detection.
- Plan for inherent limitations: subs need pre‑positioning, intelligence for target interception, and tactics that mitigate slow surface speeds and limited submerged endurance.
Speakers and sources referenced
- Narrator: Indy Neidell
- Historical figures and contributors:
- John “Jacky” Fisher (British First Sea Lord)
- Alfred von Tirpitz (German Grand Admiral)
- Kaiser Wilhelm II
- John Philip Holland (Irish engineer)
- The Fenian Brotherhood (early financial backers of Holland)
- Robert Whitehead (Whitehead torpedo)
- Isaac Peral (Spanish submarine designer/operator)
- Admiral Percy Scott (British admiral)
- Historical vessels/events: HMS Pathfinder, U‑9
- Research help credited to William E. Lutz
- Organizations and companies:
- Electric Boat Company (Holland’s company; predecessor of General Dynamics)
- Navies: Royal Navy, Imperial German Navy, French Navy, Russian Navy, United States Navy
Category
Educational
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