Submarine Day
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Overview
Submarine Day, observed annually on March 17th, commemorates a pivotal moment in naval history: the purchase of the USS Holland (SS-1) by the U.S. Navy in 1900. This event marked the official beginning of the U.S. Navy's submarine force, ushering in a new era of underwater warfare and reconnaissance that profoundly impacted maritime strategy and technology worldwide.
Origin and story
The USS Holland (SS-1), purchased on this day in 1900, was the first submarine officially commissioned by the U.S. Navy.
It was designed by Irish-American engineer John Philip Holland, who had spent years developing his practical submarine designs.
Quick facts
- DateMarch 17
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to Observe Submarine Day
The submarine that started the U.S. Navy's undersea fleet was built by an Irish immigrant schoolteacher. John Philip Holland designed and built the USS Holland, launched in 1897 and purchased by the Navy for $150,000 in 1900 — a six-man vessel armed with a torpedo tube and a pneumatic gun, later used to train midshipmen at Annapolis until 1905.
Learn About the First Submarine
Helpful resources:
Explore Naval Technology
- Learn how submarines operate
- Explore their role in exploration and defense
- Visit naval museums (if available)
Appreciate Engineering
- Learn about pressure, buoyancy, and propulsion
- Compare early submarines to modern vessels
Did You Know?
The Holland could dive to a maximum depth of just 75 feet, a fraction of what modern nuclear submarines can safely reach, and it carried a crew of only six.
Fun facts
- The USS Holland (SS-1), purchased on this day in 1900, was the first submarine officially commissioned by the U.S. Navy.
- It was designed by Irish-American engineer John Philip Holland, who had spent years developing his practical submarine designs.
- Before the Holland, earlier experimental submarines existed, but its successful trials and practical design led to its adoption and the subsequent formation of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet.
- The USS Holland had a maximum speed of about 5.5 knots and could operate at depths of up to 75 feet.
- The introduction of submarines changed naval warfare, providing nations with new strategic options during conflicts.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Submarine Day?
- It is observed on March 17 each year.
- What is Submarine Day?
- Submarine Day, observed annually on March 17th, commemorates a pivotal moment in naval history: the purchase of the USS Holland (SS-1) by the U.S. Navy in 1900. This event marked the official beginning of the U.S. Navy's submarine force, ushering in a new era of underwater warfare and reconnaissance that profoundly impacted maritime strategy and technology worldwide.
- How do people celebrate Submarine Day?
- Learn how submarines manage pressure and buoyancy, and read up on the USS Holland, the six-man, 75-foot-depth vessel that became the U.S. Navy's first commissioned submarine in 1900.
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