The Invention of Submarines.
A submarine is a ship that travels underwater. Most submarines are designed for war to attack enemy ships or to fire missiles at the enemy's country. Two main submarines are the Attack submarine and the ballistic missile submarine. The Attack submarine is designed to attack, search out, and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships. The first workable submarine was a wooden rowboat covered with waterproof hides. The first submarine to be used as an instrument of war was an egg-shaped craft that carried only one person. Four submersible vessels were built during the American Civil War by the fleet. In 1864, a confederate submarine, the Hunley, blew up the USS Housatonic in Charleston, South Carolina, harbor, but the explosion too destroyed itself. Submarines were used in different types of ways. For example, the 'Davids' , did score some successes but their cost was exorbitant; two warships sunk and a third damaged for the loss of two submersibles.
Submarines put to use in War.
The cigar-shaped sub drove a torpedo into the side of the mighty Housatonic, sinking the Union sloop-of-war and becoming the first submarine in history to sink a ship in battle. This feat would not be repeated again for more than 50 years.
American Diver or Pioneer II a third, more sophisticated submarine was built. The Hunley, named after one of her largest investors slid down a wooden ramp into the Mobile harbor in mid-July 1863. This submarine was looked to with anticipation as a means to end the blockade of union ships patrolling Southern harbors. The confederacy was showing signs of severe strain under the blockade and the cost of consumer goods continued to skyrocket. It was hoped that the Hunley was the key to foil the Union Blockade. After successfully demonstrating exercises in the mobile harbor, military commanders there unanimously decided the Hunley would be put into immediate military action.