Submarine Facts
Submarine Facts
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| Interesting Submarine Facts: |
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| Submarines are equipped with water tanks called ballast tanks that fill up to submerge the vessel. Emptying the tanks and filling them with air causes the submarine to surface. |
| Some submarines are able to remain underwater for several months at a time. |
| The first submarines could only hold one or two people. Today, some submarines can carry more than 100 people. |
| Submarines were built and used during the American Civil War. |
| Torpedoes, which are an important weapon used by submarines, were developed in the 19th century. |
| The first nuclear powered submarine was launched in 1954. It was named the USS Nautilus. Nuclear submarines are able to stay underwater longer than other types of submarines and are also able to move through the water faster. |
| The Kursk, a Russian submarine, lost all of its 118 crew in 2000 following several explosions inside the vessel. |
| Germans had submarines called U-boats that they used during World War I and World War II to attack the Allied Forces. |
| Submarines use a variety of power sources including batteries, nuclear power, and engines. Early submarines used gas, steam, and even human power. |
| Modern submarines have hulls made from titanium or steel to keep them from becoming crushed by the water's pressure, which increases as the submarine submerges even deeper. |
| Submarines use a variety of communication techniques however it is impossible to transmit sound in the same way it is done above the water. Submarines use VLF (very low frequency), ELF (extremely low frequency), burst transmission, sonar telephone and other methods to communicate with other submarines underwater and non-submerged vessels above the surface. |
| In the military submarines are used for protecting aircraft carriers on the surface of the water, attacking other submarines and watercraft, as supply vessels for other subs, launching torpedoes and missiles at land and sea targets, and for providing surveillance and protection from would-be attackers. |
| Submarines are used for a variety of non-military purposes including salvage missions, deep sea exploration, and marine exploration. |
| A famous book about a submarine adventure was written in 1870 by the French author Jules Verne. It was titled 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. This science fiction book increased the interest in submarines and their design. |
| Many movies have been made that feature submarines including The Hunt for Red October, K-19: The Widowmaker, Crimson Tide, U-571, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. |
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