Happy 125th Birthday, U.S. Navy Submarine Force

The history of the U.S. Submarine Force “officially” traces back to 1900, when the Navy purchased the 54 foot long Holland VI and commissioned it as USS HOLLAND.  John Phillip Holland would design seven more with similar design but 64 feet in length, and to put them in perspective, if these hulls were laid athwart ship an OHIO class submarine there would barely be 10 feet “hanging over” each side of the beam.

During the early 20th Century, there were discussions that submarines were vulnerable, not practical, of limited use, and barbaric to use in warfare. German submarine successes in World War I inspired the United States to continue to build submarines, despite the naysayers. The navy’s submarine advocates saw the need for a school to train submariners and the Naval Submarine School was established and New London Submarine Base in Connecticut became “home from the sea” for submariners.

The Submarine Force continued to grow, and new, more modern ships were built. Some were poorly designed, several were lost with all or most of the crew perishing. We continued to improve our ships with each new class. The success of our submarines in World War II is legend: our submarines made over 1600 war patrols sinking over 1000 Japanese ships and almost completely eliminating their ability to wage war without fuel, raw materials, and food. This victory came at a great cost of the loss of 52 submarines and over three thousand Officers and Sailors.

Following World War II the development and building of nuclear powered submarines began under the leadership of Admiral Hyman G Rickover. The role of these ships during the Cold War and the importance of strategic submarines as a deterrent to war until the present is well known.

Our submarines are on patrol today, often for extended periods, preserving our nation’s security.  On our submarine tenders and shore-based maintenance activities, our military and civilian team works day and night to keep our submarines ready for the fight. One constant from the early Submarine Force to today has been our people: from the machinist mates and electricians to yeoman, culinary specialists and quartermasters, they are our strength.

On this 125th birthday, we recognize the elite men and women whose bravery, intelligence, and dedication have made the Submarine Force the fighting power it is today. From all of us here at Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, we wish the Submarine Force a Happy 125th Birthday and look forward to where new technology and developments will take us next.

RADM Steven W. Maas, SC, USN (Ret.)

President, Dolphin Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors