Saturday, July 13, 2024
Monday, July 8, 2024
World War One
On the eve
of World War I, all major navies had submarines in their fleets, but these
submarines were relatively small, considered of questionable military value,
and generally intended for coastal operations. The most important exception to
the coastal operation concept was the German Deutschland-class merchant
submarines, each 315 feet long with two large cargo holds. These submarines
could carry 700 tons of cargo at a speed of 12-13 knots on the surface and 7
knots submerged. The Deutschland itself was fitted with torpedo tubes and deck
guns to become U-155, and along with seven similar submarines, saw combat duty
later in the war. By comparison, a "standard" World War I submarine
was just over 200 feet long and displaced less than 1,000 tons at surface level.
Pre-war submarines
were usually equipped with self-propelled torpedoes to attack enemy ships.
During wartime, submarines were also equipped with deck guns. This allowed them
to approach enemy merchant ships on the surface and signal them to stop for a
search (an early warfare strategy), and then sink smaller or unarmed ships
where the use of torpedoes was not justified. Most submarines built for war
were equipped with one, and sometimes two, main guns of about 3-4 inches
caliber. However, some later German submarines were equipped with
150-millimeter guns (including the military-configured Deutschland-class).

