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[[Image:Typhoon3.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A typhoon class nuclear ballistic missile submarine.]]

[[Image:Typhoon3.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A typhoon class nuclear ballistic missile submarine.]]

A '''submarine''' is a vehicle that travels under water (i.e. an underwater boat). The submarine was invented in the 17th century. Though it was originally designed for the purpose of exploration, its military benefits soon became clear. The first military submarine was the Turtle which was used by the Colonists during the [[American Revolution]] without success. Submarines have been used in many other wars since, most notably World Wars I and II, and are still used for their original purpose of exploration to this day.

A '''submarine''' is a vehicle that travels under water (i.e. an underwater boat). The submarine was invented in the 17th century. Though it was originally designed for the purpose of exploration, its military benefits soon became clear. The first military submarine was the Turtle which was used by the Colonists during the [[American Revolution]] without success.

The first submarine to successfully sink a ship was the [[CSS Hunley|CSS ''Hunley'']] which sank the USS ''Housatonic'' during the [[American Civil War]] on 17 February 1864 in Charleston Harbour.  The ''Hunley'' never returned from the mission, sinking with the loss of all crew.

The first submarine to successfully sink a ship was the [[CSS Hunley|CSS ''Hunley'']] which sank the USS ''Housatonic'' during the [[American Civil War]] on 17 February 1864 in Charleston Harbour.  The ''Hunley'' never returned from the mission, sinking with the loss of all crew.

The first submarine commissioned into the United States Navy was the USS ''Holland''.  She was commissioned on Columbus Day in 1900 and was subsequently designated SS 1.  Today, the United States Navy operates 14 Ohio class SSBN's, 4 Ohio class SSGN's, 3 Seawolf class SSN's, approximately 40 Los Angeles Class SSN's, and 2 commissioned Virginia class SSN's.

The first submarine commissioned into the United States Navy was the USS ''Holland''.  She was commissioned on Columbus Day in 1900 and was subsequently designated SS 1.   

 

 

Today, the United States Navy operates 14 Ohio class SSBN's, 4 Ohio class SSGN's, 3 Seawolf class SSN's, approximately 40 Los Angeles Class SSN's, and 2 commissioned Virginia class SSN's.

*SSN is Submersible Ship Nuclear(powered)

*SSN is Submersible Ship Nuclear(powered)