Print this page Submarines: The Silent Service
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1940s/50s/60/70s, we will examine the history and development of the submarine by the United States Navy.
Furthermore, we will examine the physical principles (i.e. buoyancy) that make submarines possible and the design/construction of diesel/electric and/or nuclear powered submarines. We will also examine the various types of submarines and their tactical/strategic role/s in national defense.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the early development of submarines starting in 1620 with Cornelius Van Drebbel’s design to the development of the U.S. Navy’s first submarine designed and built by John Philip Holland in 1900;
- Understand/appreciate the role played by the submarine in both world wars and the advances in technology resulting from those conflicts;
- Understand/appreciate the physical principles by which a submarine operates above and/or below the surface;
- Understand/appreciate the construction of a submarine including pressure hull, compartments, buoyancy tanks, power source/s, environment, sanitation etc.;
- Understand/appreciate the development and significance of atomic powered submarines; and
- Understand/appreciate the development of the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarine and it’s role as strategic deterrent.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the history, design, construction and operation of submarines.
Course Introduction
The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;
- Part 1 – Background and History
- Part 2 - Physical Principles and Design
- Part 3 – A True Submarine is Born
- Part 4 – Hunter-Killer
- Part 5 – Missile Boat
Part 1 examines the development of the submarine with particular emphasis on the life and work of submarine pioneer John Philip Holland. Part 2 examines the physical principles by which a submarine operates and the design elements of a diesel/electric sub. Part 3 examines the development of the first nuclear powered submarines U.S.S. Nautilus and U.S.S. Sea Wolf in the 1950s. Part 4 examines the operations of a hunter-killer (a.k.a. “attack”) submarine and the life of submariners. Part 5 examines the development of the Polaris/Poseidon FBM program/s in the 1960s.
Course Content
Part 1 – Background and History;
TITLE: No Deck to Strut Upon (1971)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.25585
DURATION: 27:46
Part 2 – Physical Principles and Design;
TITLE: The Submarine: Physical Principles (1940) – Part 1
LINK: http://archive.org/details/SubmarinePhysicalPrinciples
DURATION: 11:12
TITLE: The Submarine: Construction (1955) – Part 2
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.20558
DURATION: 28:42
Part 3 – A True Submarine is Born;
TITLE: The Atom Goes to Sea (1954)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/atom_goes_to_sea
DURATION: 11:25
Part 4 – Hunter-Killer;
TITLE: The Submariners (1967)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.25126
DURATION: 28:28
Part 4 – Missile Boat;
TITLE: Polaris to Poseidon (1966)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.24691
DURATION: 15:07
Course Summary
Using stealth and the vastness of the world’s oceans, the submarine plays a critical role in naval strategy. Providing a tactical defense against other naval vessels - including enemy submarines, and a strategic deterrent via a first-strike ballistic missile capability, the modern nuclear submarine is a cornerstone of national defense. Ironic considering the first initiatives to build a submarine for the U.S. Navy (in the late nineteenth century) were met with derision and dismissal. If not for the persistence and genius of John Philip Holland, the future of naval warfare may have been very different indeed.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Philip_Holland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Nautilus_%28SSN-571%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine-launched_ballistic_missile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwjxFNB1BwU
(Modern Marvels: Powerful Nuclear Submarines - 45:18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlm1YCrFMWg
(Film: What's Inside a Nuclear Submarine? - 51:43)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qt7dyhB-jg
(Film: SUBMARINE - 56:11)
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
