Allied submarines in the Pacific War
Allied submarines were used extensively during the Pacific War and were a key contributor to the defeat of the Empire of Japan.
Japanese freighter Nittsu Maru sinks after being torpedoed by USS Wahoo on 21 March 1943.
Torpedoed Japanese destroyer Yamakaze photographed through the periscope of American submarine USS Nautilus on 25 June 1942.
Photograph of Makin Island taken from USS Nautilus during the raid on the island in August 1942.
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely operated vehicles and robots, as well as medium-sized or smaller vessels, such as the midget submarine and the wet sub. Submarines are referred to as boats rather than ships irrespective of their size.
US Virginia-class submarine underway in Groton, Connecticut, July 2004
Russian Akula-class submarine of the Northern Fleet, in 2008
An early submersible craft, built by Cornelis Drebbel, propelled by oars
1806 illustration by Robert Fulton showing a "plunging boat"