Submarines

In 1776, American Patriots attempted to destroy the British flagship Eagle using a man-operated semi-submersible, the Turtle, in New York harbour. The attack failed, but the idea stuck. Almost 90 years later, the CSS Hunley successfully rammed into the Federal sloop USS Housatonic with a spar torpedo. The Housatonic became the first ship in naval history to be sunk by a submarine. Submarines features the most significant submarines built, from the German U-9 – which sank three British cruisers on 22 September 1914 – through the huge Japanese I-400 class to the great nuclear-powered submarines of the Cold War, such as the USS Los Angeles and Soviet Oscar class. Also included are the ‘undersea cruiser’ Surcouf; the highly successful Type VII U-boats of World War II; and the latest attack and ballistic missile submarines, such as HMS Astute, USS Virginia, the Chinese Type 094 and the Russian Yasen class.
Each entry includes a brief description of the submarine’s development and history, a colour profile or cutaway, key features and specifications. Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, Submarines is an accessible guide for those interested in naval history.

Author Biography

David Ross specialises in maritime, engineering and railway history and he has written and contributed to numerous books on these subjects. His most recent books are Abandoned Industrial Places, Rail Journeys, Bridges, Coast, Lighthouses, Ships Visual Encyclopedia, Submarines, Great Warships and The World’s Greatest Battleships.