Submarines in the United States Navy - Wikipedia Page 1 of 13
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Submarines in the United States Navy - Wikipedia Page 1 of 13 Submarines in the United States Navy There are three major types of submarines in the United States Navy: ballistic missile submarines, attack submarines, and cruise missile submarines. All submarines in the U.S. Navy are nuclear-powered. Ballistic subs have a single strategic mission of carrying nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Attack submarines have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and subs, launching cruise missiles, and gathering intelligence. The submarine has a long history in the United States, beginning with the Turtle, the world's first submersible with a documented record of use in combat.[1] Contents Early History (1775–1914) World War I and the inter-war years (1914–1941) World War II (1941–1945) Offensive against Japanese merchant shipping and Japanese war ships Lifeguard League Cold War (1945–1991) Towards the "Nuclear Navy" Strategic deterrence Post–Cold War (1991–present) Composition of the current force Fast attack submarines Ballistic and guided missile submarines Personnel Training Pressure training Escape training Traditions Insignia Submarines Insignia Other insignia Unofficial insignia Submarine verse of the Navy Hymn See also External links References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarines_in_the_United_States_Navy 3/24/2018 Submarines in the United States Navy - Wikipedia Page 2 of 13 Early History (1775–1914) There were various submersible projects in the 1800s. Alligator was a US Navy submarine that was never commissioned. She was being towed to South Carolina to be used in taking Charleston, but she was lost due to bad weather 2 April 1863 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The H. L. Hunley was a submarine of the Confederate States of America shipped by rail to South Carolina on 12 August 1863 to defend Charleston. The Hunley played a small part in the American Civil War, but a large role in naval warfare worldwide by demonstrating both the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare. On 17 February 1864, she attacked and sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston harbor, becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy ship. Soon after, however, Hunley also sank, drowning all eight crewmen. Real progress began in the late 19th century with the building of the USS Holland (SS-1), named after John Philip Holland. The boat was developed at Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This pioneering craftwas in service for 10 years and was a developmental and trials vessel for many systems on other early submarines. World War I and the inter-war years (1914–1941) The submarine truly came of age in World War I. The US Navy did not have a large part in this war, with its action mainly being confined to escorting convoys later in the war and sending a division of battleships to reinforce the British Grand Fleet. However, there were those in the submarine service who saw what the Germans had done with their U-boats and took careful note. World War II (1941–1945) Doctrine in the inter-war years emphasized the submarine as a scout for the battle fleet, and also extreme caution in command. Both these axioms were proven wrong after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The submarine skippers of the fleet boats of World War II waged a very effective campaign against Japanese merchant vessels, eventually repeating and surpassing Germany's initial success during the Battle of the Atlantic against the United Kingdom. [2] They were aggressive and effective, and operated far from the fleet. Japanese freighter Nittsu Maru sinks after being torpedoed by USS Wahoo on 21 March 1943. Offensive against Japanese merchant shipping and Japanese war ships During the war, submarines of the United States Navy were responsible for 55% of Japan's merchant marine losses; other Allied navies added to the toll.[4] The war against shipping was the single most decisive factor in the collapse of the Japanese economy.[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarines_in_the_United_States_Navy 3/24/2018 Submarines in the United States Navy - Wikipedia Page 3 of 13 The Navy adopted an [3] official policy of Size of the Japanese merchant fleet during World War II (all figures in tons) unrestricted submarine End of period Date Additions Losses Net change Index warfare, and it appears the total policy was executed 12 July 1941 6,384,000 100 without the knowledge or 12/1941 44,200 51,600 −7,400 6,376,600 99 prior consent of the 1942 661,800 1,095,800 −434,000 5,942,600 93 government.[5] The London Naval Treaty, to 1943 1,067,100 2,065,700 −998,600 4,494,400 77 which the U.S. was 1944 1,735,100 4,115,100 −2,380,000 2,564,000 40 signatory,[5] required 1/45 – 8/45 465,000 1,562,100 −1,097,100 1,466,900 23 submarines to abide by prize rules (commonly known as "cruiser rules"). It did not prohibit arming merchantmen,[5] but arming them, or having them report contact with submarines (or raiders), made them de facto naval auxiliaries and removed the protection of the cruiser rules.[6][7] This made restrictions on submarines effectively moot.[5] U.S. Navy submarines also conducted reconnaissance patrols, landed special forces and guerrilla troops and performed search and rescue tasks.[8] In addition to sinking Japanese merchant ships, postwar records compiled by the Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee indicate Japan lost 686 warships of 500 gross tons (GRT) or larger to submarines during 1,600 war patrols. Only 1.6 percent of the total U.S. naval manpower was responsible for America's success on its Pacific high seas; more than half of the total tonnage sunk was credited to U.S. submarines. The tremendous accomplishments of American submarines were achieved at the expense of 52 subs with 374 officers and 3,131 enlisted volunteers lost during combat against Japan; Japan lost 128 submarines during the Second World War in Pacific waters. American casualty counts represent 16 percent of the U.S. operational submarine officer corps and 13 percent of its enlisted force. Lifeguard League In addition to their commerce raiding role, submarines also proved valuable in air-sea rescue.[9] While in command of United States Navy aircraft carrier task force 50.1 Rear Admiral Charles Alan Pownall, proposed to Admiral Charles A. Lockwood (commander of Pacific Fleet Submarine Force) that submarines be stationed near targeted islands during aerial attacks.[10] In what became known as the "Lifeboat League", pilots were informed that they could ditch their damaged planes near these submarines (or bail out nearby) and be rescued by them. Eventually the rescue of downed American Harder rescuing a pilot from pilots became the second most important submarine mission after USS Bunker Hill at Woleai, 1944. the destruction of Japanese shipping.[11] Initially, the operation of the rescue submarines met several obstacles, most important of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarines_in_the_United_States_Navy 3/24/2018 Submarines in the United States Navy - Wikipedia Page 4 of 13 which was the lack of communication between the submarines and aircraft in the area; this led to several Lifeguard League submarines being bombed or strafed, possibly including the sinking of USS Seawolf (SS-197) and USS Dorado (SS-248) by American planes.[10] As fighting in the Pacific theater intensified and [11] broadened in geographic scope, the eventual U.S. airmen rescued by submarines during World War II. creation of Standing Operating Procedure (SOP Year Days on Lifeguard station Number of rescues TWO) led to several improvements such as the 1943 64 7 assignment of nearby submarines before air 1944 469 117 attacks, and the institution of reference points to allow pilots to report their location in the 1945 2739 380 [11] clear. After the capture of the Marianas, Total 3272 504 targets such as Tokyo, about 1,500mi (2,400 km) north of the Marianas, was brought within range of B-29 attacks and Lifeguard League submarines began rescue operations along their flight paths.[11] Submarine lifeguards spent a combined 3,272 days on rescue duty and rescued 502 men.[11] Famous examples include the rescue of 22 airmen by the USS Tang,[12] and the rescue of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush by the USS Finback (SS-230).[13] Cold War (1945–1991) After WWII, things continued along much the same path until the early 1950s. Then, a revolution that was to forever change the nature of the submarine arm occurred. That revolution was USS Nautilus (SSN-571). Towards the "Nuclear Navy" The Nautilus was the first nuclear-powered submarine. Nautilus put to sea for the first time on 17 January 1955, transmitting the historic message, "Under way on nuclear power."[14] Up until that point, submarines had been torpedo boats tied to the surface by the need to charge their batteries USS Nautilus during her initial sea trials, using diesel engines relatively often. The nuclear power plant 20 January 1955. of the Nautilus meant that the boat could stay underwater for literally months at a time, the only operational limit being the amount of food that the boat could carry. With resupply by mini-subs, even this could be overcome.[15] The final limits would be for replacing equipment that wears out, the fatigue limit of the hull, and crew morale. Strategic deterrence https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarines_in_the_United_States_Navy 3/24/2018 Submarines in the United States Navy - Wikipedia Page 5 of 13 Another revolution in submarine warfare came with USS George Washington (SSBN-598).[14] Nuclear- powered, like Nautilus, George Washington added strategic ballistic missiles reaching the nuclear triad.