When did the Turtle submarine first attack an enemy ship?
The Turtle attempted to attach an explosive charge to HMS Eagle on the 8th of September 1776. This event marked the first recorded attack by a submarine against an enemy ship.
Questions about Submarine warfare
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Which Confederate submarine sank the USS Housatonic in 1864?
The submarine H.L. Hunley sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor on the 17th of February 1864. This became the first successful sinking of an enemy ship by a submarine in combat history.
How many Allied ships were sunk by German U-boats during World War I?
More than 5,000 Allied ships were sunk by U-boats during World War I. These operations targeted vessels bound for the United Kingdom, France, and Russia starting in February 1915.
What was the wolf pack tactic used by German U-boats in World War II?
The wolf pack tactic involved multiple submarines dispersing across possible convoy paths to coordinate attacks at night. Almost 3,000 Allied ships including 2,825 merchantmen had been sunk by U-boats before losses became unacceptable.
Why did Japanese submarines fail to destroy US shipping effectively?
Japanese submarines failed because their doctrine concentrated on attacking warships rather than vulnerable merchantmen. The smaller Japanese fleet suffered heavy losses to Allied anti-submarine measures while destroying over half of all Japanese merchant ships remained impossible.