April 11 – Submarine Day

nPostednon April 11, 2015

Waynback in 1900, the U.S. government bought its first submarine, the USSnHolland. It was on April 11, 1900, so today is Submarine Day.

nAccordingnto Wikipedia, the United States submarine community celebratesnthe day. I’m thinking that the U.S. submarine community mostlynconsists of the Navy guys who serve on subs, right? Of course therenare some tourist submarine rides (and not just at Disneyland).nBut I find myself wondering how many people own their own privatensubmarines…maybe even luxury submarines. And as I wonderednthat, I also started wondering how dangerous running your ownnsubmarine would be!
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Interior of a luxury submarine.

nWhatnI found out from my research is that your own personal subncosts upwards of $2 million, if it’s commercially built. Thenmanufacturers put the new owners through a three-week training coursenso that they learn how to let just enough water into the ballastntanks, and dive and drive and all that stuff.

Inalso found out that some people build their own subs! Seriously, forn“only” about $50 thousand, hobbyists cobble together submersiblesnin their backyards and garages. They have to get Coast Guard approvalnbefore diving at sea (although they can explore lakes without approval –nbut they are still urged to contact the FBI before doing even that!). This sortnof submarine is more dangerous; people have died when their homemadenvessels cracked from the water pressure in the deep. (There hasnnever been a recorded death in a commercially-made private or

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ntouristnsubmarine from the sub cracking at depth. Of course there have beenndeaths associated with submarines being attacked during a war!)
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WhilenI was finding out about private people owning submarines, I ALSOnstarted wondering about those “Navy guys” serving on subs. Mynnephew is one of them, and I remembered that there are no womennon his crew. It turns out that, because of the cramped quarters andnlack of privacy, there are no women currently assigned to any U.S. Navy submarinencrews. But of course there are some women who have been on subs fornshort periods of time. They include civilians who werenexperts at testing specialized equipment, family members, and female midshipmen getting training.

nAndnwhile I was researching all of that, I discovered that submarines are painted black because studies have shown that black helpsnsubs hide better than any other color.

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nAtnany rate, you are likely NOT an owner of a private sub, likely NOTnserving on a nuclear submarine, likely NOT living near any tourist subs.

nStill, happy Submarine Day! And what could be happier than watching Yellow Submarine?