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Submarine

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

The USS Virginia, a modern nuclear-powered submarine, returns to its shipyard after successful sea trials. This advanced vessel is designed for both ocean and coastal operations.

What is a Submarine?

A submarine is a special kind of watercraft that can travel underwater all by itself. Unlike a submersible, which can only stay underwater for a short time, submarines can stay deep for many days or even months. These amazing boats help many navies around the world.

Submarines have many important jobs. They help protect ships, gather information, and support other work far from land. In everyday life, they help with marine science, salvage, and even let people explore the ocean as a fun tour! Some submarines are very small, while others, like the big Russian Typhoon class, can stay underwater for a long time.

How Do Submarines Work?

Most submarines have a round body with special ends and a tall part in the middle. This tall part holds important tools like periscopes, which let people see what’s happening above water. Submarines move underwater using a propeller or pump jet at the back. They can change how deep they go by filling special tanks called ballast tanks with water.

These clever vehicles let us explore and work in the deep ocean, far beyond where people can swim. They help us learn about the sea and do important jobs far from shore.

Images

Historical submarine Plongeur from 1863
A submarine named Vepr, showcasing naval technology from 1995.
Illustration of three important U.S. Navy submarines from the mid-20th century: a World War II fleet submarine, the first nuclear-powered submarine USS Nautilus, and the first ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington.
A model of the Bushnell 'Turtle,' the world's first military submarine, on display at the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum.
An illustration of Fulton's submarine design from the early 1800s, showcasing an early concept of underwater vessels and their mode of attack.
The Peral submarine, an early underwater vessel from 1888.
Historic U.S. submarine USS Plunger from 1903.
Historical photo of the Imperial Russian submarine Akula and the armoured cruiser Ryurik from 1913.
An early 20th-century submarine, SM U 9, showcasing early naval engineering.
Historical submarine from 1944
Historical photograph of the German submarine U-47 from 1938, an important part of maritime history.
An Australian submarine, HMAS Rankin, cruising at periscope depth in the Pacific Ocean during a maritime exercise.
The USS Charlotte submarine sailing with other naval ships during an international ocean exercise in 2014.
An early submarine designed by Cornelius Drebbel in the 17th century.

Related articles

Watercraft
Submersible
Navy
Marine science
Marine salvage
Typhoon-class submarine

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Submarine, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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