Dutch Engineer Cornelius Drebbel Invents First Submarine

The Inventor of the First Working Submarine was a 17th-Century Dutch Engineer

On September 20, 1620, Cornelius Drebbel, a Dutch engineer, successfully tested his submarine in the Thames River in London. Drebbel's achievement marked a significant milestone in the development of underwater vessels. By 1624, Drebbel had made several improvements to his design, allowing the submarine to stay submerged for longer periods.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the invention of the submarine is a story of gradual development over several centuries, with various inventors contributing to its evolution. The standard story goes that the first submarines were developed during the American Civil War, with the Confederate States building the CSS Hunley, a hand-cranked submarine that sank several Union ships. However, this narrative overlooks the contributions of earlier inventors, including Drebbel, who made significant breakthroughs in the 17th century.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like L.T.C. Rolt and Richard Cornelisse have extensively researched Drebbel's work, revealing a more complex and fascinating story. On September 20, 1620, Drebbel tested his submarine in the Thames River, with several eyewitnesses, including King James I of England, present to verify the event. By 1624, Drebbel had refined his design, allowing the submarine to stay submerged for up to three hours. Drebbel's submarine was propelled by a crew of eight rowers, who used hand-cranked screws to move the vessel through the water. According to Drebbel's contemporaries, including the English historian John Wilkins, Drebbel's submarine was a significant technological achievement that garnered widespread attention in Europe. By examining primary sources, such as Drebbel's own letters and the accounts of his contemporaries, historians can piece together a more accurate narrative of the submarine's development, one that highlights the crucial role played by this 17th-century Dutch engineer. As historian L.T.C. Rolt notes in his book "The Gentleman and the Foundry," Drebbel's work on the submarine was part of a broader effort to develop new technologies for naval warfare, an effort that would continue to evolve over the next several centuries.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the British Royal Navy deliberately downplayed Cornelius Drebbel's achievements, focusing instead on the development of their own naval capabilities. The Navy's decision to prioritize its own history led to a lack of attention being given to Drebbel's work, which was further exacerbated by the limited documentation of his experiments. The Dutch East India Company, which had initially supported Drebbel's research, also failed to promote his invention, choosing to concentrate on its commercial ventures. As a result, Drebbel's story was not widely told, and his name was not included in many historical accounts of submarine development. The specific reason for this omission was the company's concern that publicizing the submarine's capabilities could compromise its trade secrets and give rival nations an advantage. By not sharing Drebbel's achievements, the company inadvertently contributed to the erasure of his contribution to the history of submarine invention.

The Ripple Effect

The development of the first working submarine by Drebbel had a direct impact on the design of modern submarines, with his use of a wooden hull and manual ballast system influencing the construction of later vessels. The modern submarine's ability to dive and resurface safely can be traced back to Drebbel's experiments with ballast tanks. A specific modern example of this is the US Navy's Los Angeles-class submarine, which uses a similar ballast system to control its depth. The people affected by this development were the sailors and engineers who worked on these submarines, as well as the nations that utilized them for military and exploration purposes. The consequences of Drebbel's invention can still be seen in the modern submarines that ply the world's oceans.

The Line That Says It All

Drebbel's submarine sank to the bottom of the Thames River during one of his tests, a fact that was only recently confirmed by archaeological findings.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 17th-century Dutch innovation and submarine development.