The Russian Sub Museum Portrait of John Holland

John Holland

John Holland, often been called the "Father of the U.S. Submarine Force," designed the USS Holland (SS-1), the Navy's first submarine. Holland was born in Liscannor, Ireland on February 24, 1841. Because poor eyesight prevented his becoming a sailor, he became a teacher with the Order of the Irish Christian Brothers in 1858. Holland's interest in submarines was kindled in 1869, after reading accounts of the U.S. Navy's submarine Intelligent Whale. He came to the United States in 1873.

While working as a teacher in Paterson, New Jersey, Holland designed his first submarine. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish independence movement to which Holland's brother belonged, financed his work as a way to challenge British control of the seas. With Fenian funding, he built three submarines, Holland I, II (named Fenian Ram), and III. In November 1883, Fenians unhappy with Holland's slow progress stole the Fenian Ram. The submarine, however, was never operated successfully. Holland began working in 1884 for U.S. Army Lieutenant Edmund Zalinski's Pneumatic Gun Company, which financed Holland IV, also known as the Zalinski Boat, in 1885.

In 1888, the Navy announced a competition for a "submarine torpedo boat." The competition called for a boat that could travel for 90 hours at 15 knots on the surface or eight knots submerged. The boat had to dive successfully to 150 feet, and achieve a tactical diameter (turning ability) less than four times her length. The submarine had to have positive buoyancy at all times except when diving. Holland won the competition, but no contract was awarded. Holland then began working as a draftsman for the Morris and Cummings Dredging Company, where he met lawyer Elihu Frost, who agreed to fund his next submarine design.

Holland entered and won the Navy's next submarine competition in 1893, with Holland V the Plunger. Holland modified this design and the result, Holland VI, was launched on May 17, 1897. She began sea trials on March 11, 1898. Holland sent the Navy the specifications for Holland VI in late 1899, and Holland's supporters mounted a strong lobbying campaign. On April 11, 1900, the Navy purchased Holland VI. The submarine was commissioned in the Navy as USS Holland (SS-1) on October 12, 1900.

Photo and biographical information provided courtesy of the United States Navy at http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/cno/n87/history/pioneers4.html

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Last Updated:
3/9/03