How is the submarine a useful device through history?

Answer 1

Today: Good to launch nuclear missiles from. (Nuclear sub-USA)

Before: Good to launch torpedo's from. (U-Boat-Nazi Germany)

Long ago: Good to shoot cannon balls from. (Monitor-The Union)

Answer 2

The history of the submarine is dependent on stealth and that will continue to be it's main concern until for some reason it is out dated. Even initially it was thought up as a secret weapon that would sneak up on an anchored ship plan or harpoon an explosive devise and slip away before the fireworks.

During the First World War the Sub came into it's own as a way to attack convoy and supply ship although it rarely got the chance to score a hit on significant warships. Still the cost it imposed on supply lines and the danger it invoked on mass sea transport made it a serious weapon to contend with and led to various models and technologies for the Escort Destroyer Class of Ships used to counter the little sub.

At the beginning of WW2 the German Wolf Packs were a major menace to Allied supply lines but with the development of more accurate depth-charges and the American development of sonar the days of the dreaded Wolf Packs were numbered! Still in all the war only two sub attacks gained any real attention. One American Sub was given credit at the Battle of Midway and a British Sub helped disable the SS. Bismarck.

At the height of the cold war Nuclear Subs could stay at sea for 6 month or so and thus armed with Polaris Missiles they were important to the secret & mobile deployment of the nuclear threat. Ironically the Russians deployed more of these ships than the Americans and a big deal angst was that Russian Skippers would often test their crews seamanship by setting a collision course for an American Ship, and then turn at the last minute.

What purpose the Sub plays now is relatively moot in the Middle East save rare pick-up and drop-offs for clandestine operatives.

Answer 3

Well they keep the water off, bit like a brolly really