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USS Holland (SS-1)
Encyclopedia
USS Holland (SS-1) was the United States Navy
's first commissioned submarine
, named for her Irish-American inventor, John Philip Holland
, although not the first submarine of the US Navy, which was the 1862 . The boat was originally laid down as Holland VI, and launched
on 17 May 1897.
The work was done at (Ret.) Navy Lieutenant
Lewis Nixon's
Crescent Shipyard
of Elizabeth, New Jersey
for John Holland's company, then known as the Holland Torpedo Boat Company. The craft was built under the supervision of John Holland, who designed the vessel and its details. The keel
to this craft was laid at Nixon's Crescent Shipyard with both men present. The two men worked together using many of John Holland's proven concepts and patent
s to make the submarine a reality, both men complementing each other's contributions to the development of the modern submarine.
Holland included many features that submarines of the early 20th century would exhibit, albeit in later, more advanced forms. It had both an internal combustion engine
for running on the surface, and an electric motor
for submerged operation. She had a reloadable torpedo tube
and a deck gun
(a pneumatic dynamite gun
). There was a conning tower
from which the boat and its weapons could be directed. Finally, she had all the necessary ballast
and trim tanks to make precise changes in depth and attitude underwater.
_-_scientific_american_1898.jpg)
Holland — along with six other Holland-type submarines — was based in New Suffolk, New York
on the North Fork of Long Island
from 1899–1905, prompting the hamlet to claim to be the "First Submarine Base" in the United States.
The success of the submarine was instrumental in the founding of the Electric Boat Company - now known as the General Dynamics Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics Corporation. This company, therefore, can trace its origins to the formation of John Philip Holland's original company and the revolutionary submarines that were developed at this shipyard.
Holland VI was modified after its christening
, and was renamed USS Holland (SS-1) when it was commissioned
by the U.S. Navy on 12 October 1900, at Newport, Rhode Island
, with Lieutenant Harry H. Caldwell
in command.
Holland was the first commissioned submarine in the U.S. Navy and is the first of the unbroken line of submarines in the Navy. It was the third submarine to be owned by the Navy, however. (The first such submarine was the Propeller (aka ), while the second was the Intelligent Whale
.)
On 16 October 1900, in order to be kept serviceable throughout the winter, Holland left Newport under tow of tug Leyden for Annapolis, Maryland
, where she was used to train midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy
, as well as officers and enlisted men ordered there to receive training vital in preparing for the operation of other submarines being built for the Fleet.
Holland proved valuable for experimental purposes in collecting data for submarines under construction or contemplation. Her 166 mi (267.2 km) surface run, from Annapolis to Norfolk, Virginia
from 8–10 January 1901, provided useful data on her performance underway over an extended period.
Except for the period from 15 June-1 October, which was passed training cadets at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island
, Holland remained at Annapolis as a training submarine until 17 July 1905.
Holland finished her career at Norfolk, Virginia
. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
on 21 November 1910. This revolutionary submarine was sold as scrap to Henry A. Hitner & Sons, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
on 18 June 1913 for $100. Her purchaser was required to put up $5,000 bond as assurance that the submarine would be broken up and not used as a ship.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
's first commissioned submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
, named for her Irish-American inventor, John Philip Holland
John Philip Holland
John Philip Holland was an Irish engineer who developed the first submarine to be formally commissioned by the U.S...
, although not the first submarine of the US Navy, which was the 1862 . The boat was originally laid down as Holland VI, and launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 17 May 1897.
Design and construction
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Lewis Nixon's
Lewis Nixon (naval architect)
Lewis Nixon I was a naval architect, shipbuilding executive, public servant, and political activist. He designed the United States' first modern battleships, and supervised the construction of its first modern submarines, all before his 40th birthday. He was briefly the leader of Tammany Hall...
Crescent Shipyard
Crescent Shipyard
Crescent Shipyard, located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, built a number of ships for the United States Navy and allied nations as well during their production run, which lasted about ten years while under the Crescent name and banner. Production of these ships began before the Spanish-American war and...
of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
for John Holland's company, then known as the Holland Torpedo Boat Company. The craft was built under the supervision of John Holland, who designed the vessel and its details. The keel
Keel
In boats and ships, keel can refer to either of two parts: a structural element, or a hydrodynamic element. These parts overlap. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in construction of a ship, in British and American shipbuilding traditions the construction is dated from this event...
to this craft was laid at Nixon's Crescent Shipyard with both men present. The two men worked together using many of John Holland's proven concepts and patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
s to make the submarine a reality, both men complementing each other's contributions to the development of the modern submarine.
Holland included many features that submarines of the early 20th century would exhibit, albeit in later, more advanced forms. It had both an internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
for running on the surface, and an electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
for submerged operation. She had a reloadable torpedo tube
Torpedo tube
A torpedo tube is a device for launching torpedoes. There are two main types of torpedo tube: underwater tubes fitted to submarines and some surface ships, and deck-mounted units installed aboard surface vessels...
and a deck gun
Deck gun
A deck gun is a type of artillery cannon mounted on the deck of a ship or submarine.The deck gun was used as a defensive weapon against smaller boats or ships and in certain cases where torpedo use was limited. Typically a crew of three; gunner, loader, and layer, operated the gun, while others...
(a pneumatic dynamite gun
Dynamite gun
A dynamite gun is any of a class of artillery pieces distinguished by their specialized operating mechanism and purpose: they use compressed air to propel an explosive projectile...
). There was a conning tower
Conning tower
A conning tower is a raised platform on a ship or submarine, often armored, from which an officer can con the vessel; i.e., give directions to the helmsman. It is usually located as high on the ship as practical, to give the conning team good visibility....
from which the boat and its weapons could be directed. Finally, she had all the necessary ballast
Ballast tank
A ballast tank is a compartment within a boat, ship or other floating structure that holds water.-History:The basic concept behind the ballast tank can be seen in many forms of aquatic life, such as the blowfish or argonaut octopus, and the concept has been invented and reinvented many times by...
and trim tanks to make precise changes in depth and attitude underwater.
Service
Holland VI eventually proved its validity and worthiness as a warship and was ultimately purchased by the American Government for the sum of $150,000.00 on 11 April 1900. It was considered to be the first truly successful craft of its type. The United States Government soon ordered more submarines from Holland's company, which were to be known as . These became America's first fleet of underwater naval vessels.New Suffolk, New York
New Suffolk is a census-designated place that roughly corresponds to the hamlet by the same name in the town of Southold in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The CDP's population was 337 at the 2000 census.-History:...
on the North Fork of Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
from 1899–1905, prompting the hamlet to claim to be the "First Submarine Base" in the United States.
The success of the submarine was instrumental in the founding of the Electric Boat Company - now known as the General Dynamics Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics Corporation. This company, therefore, can trace its origins to the formation of John Philip Holland's original company and the revolutionary submarines that were developed at this shipyard.
Holland VI was modified after its christening
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
, and was renamed USS Holland (SS-1) when it was commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
by the U.S. Navy on 12 October 1900, at Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, with Lieutenant Harry H. Caldwell
Harry H. Caldwell
Harry H. Caldwell was America's first submarine captain. He was given charge of the submarine USS Holland which was commissioned on October 11, 1900.-External links:* Look under Commander Harry H. Caldwell USN Category;Year of birth missing...
in command.
Holland was the first commissioned submarine in the U.S. Navy and is the first of the unbroken line of submarines in the Navy. It was the third submarine to be owned by the Navy, however. (The first such submarine was the Propeller (aka ), while the second was the Intelligent Whale
Intelligent Whale
Intelligent Whale, an experimental hand-cranked submarine, was built on the design of Scovel Sturgis Merriam in 1863 by Augustus Price and Cornelius Scranton Bushnell. In 1864 the American Submarine Company was formed, taking over the interests of Bushnell and Price and there followed years of...
.)
On 16 October 1900, in order to be kept serviceable throughout the winter, Holland left Newport under tow of tug Leyden for Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, where she was used to train midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, as well as officers and enlisted men ordered there to receive training vital in preparing for the operation of other submarines being built for the Fleet.
Holland proved valuable for experimental purposes in collecting data for submarines under construction or contemplation. Her 166 mi (267.2 km) surface run, from Annapolis to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
from 8–10 January 1901, provided useful data on her performance underway over an extended period.
Except for the period from 15 June-1 October, which was passed training cadets at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Holland remained at Annapolis as a training submarine until 17 July 1905.
Holland finished her career at Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 21 November 1910. This revolutionary submarine was sold as scrap to Henry A. Hitner & Sons, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
on 18 June 1913 for $100. Her purchaser was required to put up $5,000 bond as assurance that the submarine would be broken up and not used as a ship.
Further reading
- International Directory of Company Histories,Volume 86. Published July 2007, by The Thomson Gale Group/St. James Press. Listed under the heading of General Dynamics/Electric Boat Corporation. pp. 136–139.
- Who Built Those Subs? Naval History Magazine. Written by Richard Knowles Morris PhD. Published by the United States Naval InstituteUnited States Naval InstituteThe United States Naval Institute , based at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is a private, non-profit, professional military association that seeks to offer independent, nonpartisan forums for debate of national defense issues...
, Annapolis, Maryland. October, 1998 - 125th Anniversary issue. - Steel Boats, Iron Men: The History of the United States Submarine Force, Turner Publishing Company, Paducah, KY. This account was revised in January 1997.
- The Defender: The Story of General Dynamics, by Roger Franklin. Published by Harper & Row 1986.
- The Submarine Pioneers, by CDR Richard Compton-Hall MBE RN. Published by Sutton Publishing LTD. UK 1999.
- The Legend of Electric Boat, Serving The Silent Service, by Jeffery Rodengen. Published by Write Stuff Syndicate, 1994 and 2007.
- The Klaxon, The U.S. Navy's official submarine force newsletter, April, 1992... top of page one. Published by The Nautilus Memorial Submarine Force Library and Museum, New London/Groton CT. Article is about Arthur Busch/Du Busc and his key role in building America's (and Japan's) first submarines, circa 1896-1905. U.S. Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum
- The New York Times, obituary section, Sunday, 11 March 1956. Heading reads: "Arthur L. Du Busc, Submarine Pioneer, dies (at 90); Builder of First Craft Accepted by the United States".
- Documents and letters written by John Philip HollandJohn Philip HollandJohn Philip Holland was an Irish engineer who developed the first submarine to be formally commissioned by the U.S...
, Lewis Nixon and Elihu B. FrostElihu B. FrostElihu Brintnal Frost was an American lawyer with an early involvement in the submarine industry.Born in Peekskill, New York, Frost was the son of lawyer Calvin Frost and Mary Antoinette Oppie Frost. He attended Peekskill Military Academy and graduated from Yale University in 1883, where he was a...
, etc. These documents are archived and can be found housed at the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum in New London, CT
External links
- Official Chief of Naval Operations (Pentagon) web site/Submarine Warfare Division under Submarine Pioneers/John Holland/Arthur Busch etc.
- John Philip Holland's primary web site. This site also contains information on Elihu B. FrostElihu B. FrostElihu Brintnal Frost was an American lawyer with an early involvement in the submarine industry.Born in Peekskill, New York, Frost was the son of lawyer Calvin Frost and Mary Antoinette Oppie Frost. He attended Peekskill Military Academy and graduated from Yale University in 1883, where he was a...
, Arthur L. Busch, Frank Cable, Lawrence York Spear, Isaac RiceIsaac RiceIsaac Leopold Rice was a U.S. inventor and a chess patron and author.- Biography :...
etc. - Important site pointing out Holland's diminished role while building submarines (Dead link) Page at Archive.org
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/ss-1.htm USS Holland SS-1 is acknowledged again on this web site.
- http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?list=type&type=12 This site attempts to further explain the events that took place while John P. Holland's company was being formed.