Lusitania page 2

Lusitania page 2 by ric Gustafson


The development of underwater warfare started as divers used underwater sabotage in 413 B.C. In 1578, William Bourne designed a submersible that could rise and sink by filling or emptying ballast tanks. This became a characteristic of modern submarines. It was during the War of Independence that Yale student David Bushnell launched a submersible called Turtle. The Turtle was an egg shaped vessel that was one manned, seven feet tall and four feet wide. It was made of oak and equipped with four portholes. It was propelled by two hand operated screws. It had a foot operated valve and a foot pump.
In May 1801, Robert Fulton launched the first submarine to be built of metal. It was named the Nautilus and was barrel shaped. In early 1864, a Confederate submersible called the Hunley sank a Union ship the Housatonic.
By August 1914, Germany had built 28 submarines and were constructing 25 more. German submarines had improved diesel engines. These new U boats had better range, depth performance and could travel 5000 miles. Torpedoes were erratic and unreliable. By September 1914, these new underwater vessels would make headlines for a different reason and shock the world.


research help: ' Lusitania an epic tragedy' by Diana Preston


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric