Submarines have played a crucial role in shaping naval warfare, often operating silently beneath the surface. While many submarines have made history, there are some whose contributions have been largely forgotten. These lesser-known vessels made significant impacts on military strategy and technology, yet their stories remain untold. Here are 18 forgotten military submarines that helped shape naval history.
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USS Albacore (AGSS-569)
The USS Albacore revolutionized submarine design with its teardrop-shaped hull, optimized for underwater speed and maneuverability. It was the first of its kind to prioritize hydrodynamic efficiency, which became the standard for modern submarines. This experimental vessel also tested advanced sonar, diving capabilities, and propulsion systems, significantly influencing subsequent generations of military submarines.
HMS M1
Armed with a massive 12-inch naval gun, the HMS M1 was an unusual British submarine designed to engage surface vessels directly. This weaponry made it a hybrid between a traditional submarine and a surface combatant, pushing the boundaries of submarine warfare capabilities in the early 20th century. However, the submarine’s operational effectiveness was limited by its cumbersome design, and it ultimately sank in 1925.
I-400 Class Submarines
Japan’s I-400 class submarines were among the largest ever built during WWII and were designed to launch aircraft, effectively making them underwater aircraft carriers. These submarines were a strategic innovation, with the potential to strike distant targets. However, the war ended before they could be fully utilized, and their technology remained largely overlooked.
CSS H.L. Hunley
The CSS H.L. Hunley holds the distinction of being the first combat submarine to successfully sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, during the American Civil War. Despite sinking shortly after the attack, it demonstrated the potential of underwater warfare, marking a pivotal point in naval history.
SM U-9
The German U-boat SM U-9 made headlines in WWI by sinking three British cruisers in a single hour, showcasing the lethal effectiveness of submarine warfare. This feat demonstrated the tactical advantage of submarines in naval combat and played a significant role in Germany’s underwater warfare strategy during the war.
Surcouf
France’s Surcouf was an unconventional submarine cruiser, equipped with two 8-inch guns and a hangar for a reconnaissance seaplane. This unique combination of firepower and aerial reconnaissance capabilities made it one of the most versatile submarines of its time, though its disappearance in 1942 remains a mystery.
USS Tang (SS-306)
The USS Tang became the most successful American submarine in terms of tonnage sunk during WWII. Its combat prowess, innovative tactics, and eventual loss due to a circular torpedo run cemented its place in naval history. Tang’s actions significantly disrupted Japanese shipping in the Pacific.
U-47
Commanded by Günther Prien, U-47 executed one of the most daring U-boat attacks in history, sinking the British battleship HMS Royal Oak inside the well-defended naval base of Scapa Flow. This event shocked the Royal Navy and showcased the audacity and effectiveness of Germany’s U-boat fleet during WWII.
USS Triton (SSRN-586)
The USS Triton was the first submarine to complete a submerged circumnavigation of the globe, a feat that highlighted the extended range and endurance of nuclear-powered submarines. This Cold War-era submarine symbolized the technological advancements that would define modern submarine warfare.
USS Seawolf (SS-197)
The USS Seawolf was a highly effective American submarine in the Pacific theater during WWII, carrying out numerous successful patrols before its mysterious disappearance in 1944. Its notable achievements included sinking over 71,000 tons of enemy shipping, making it a key player in the undersea war against Japan.
HMS Thetis
The tragic sinking of HMS Thetis during a 1939 training exercise led to significant reforms in submarine safety protocols. Although it never saw combat, the lessons learned from this disaster, including the development of better escape mechanisms, helped save countless lives in future submarine operations.
USS Grunion (SS-216)
The USS Grunion was lost under mysterious circumstances during WWII after reporting several successful attacks on enemy ships. Its disappearance was a source of intrigue for decades until it was discovered near the Aleutian Islands in 2007. Grunion’s short but impactful service exemplified the risks faced by submariners in hostile waters.
HMS Seal
Captured by the Germans in 1940, HMS Seal became the only British submarine to be used by the Kriegsmarine. Although it had a short and unusual service, the story of HMS Seal underscored the varied fates of submarines during wartime and the importance of undersea warfare in the Battle of the Atlantic.
U-505
The capture of the German U-boat U-505 by the U.S. Navy in 1944 was a major intelligence coup, providing the Allies with access to Enigma machines and codes. U-505 is one of only six U-boats captured during WWII and remains a significant symbol of naval espionage and undersea warfare.
USS Barbel (SS-580)
The USS Barbel was one of the first American submarines to be designed with a snorkel, allowing it to operate submerged for extended periods. This feature, combined with its advanced sonar and quiet propulsion systems, made the Barbel-class submarines highly effective in Cold War naval operations.
USS Swordfish (SS-193)
Despite its mysterious loss in WWII, USS Swordfish had a commendable record, including sinking over 22,000 tons of enemy shipping. Its operational success in the Pacific made it a valuable asset in the U.S. Navy’s submarine campaign against Japan.
HMS Conqueror
The HMS Conqueror gained notoriety as the only nuclear-powered submarine to have sunk an enemy warship, the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano, during the Falklands War. This decisive action highlighted the tactical power of nuclear submarines in modern naval conflict.
USS Squalus (SS-192)
The sinking of USS Squalus during a 1939 training exercise led to a groundbreaking rescue operation that saved 33 crew members. This event was instrumental in developing submarine rescue technology and improving the safety of submarine operations in subsequent decades.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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