Submarines at the dawn of the 20th century were a fascinating mix of ambition and limitation. The U.S. Navy, still grappling with the full potential of underwater warfare, had largely relied on gasoline-powered submarines, which—while groundbreaking—came with some rather alarming drawbacks. Gasoline fumes were not only nauseating but also highly flammable, making these early boats ticking time bombs for their crews. Then there was the issue of control beneath the waves. The Navy’s subs were growing larger, but their ability to maintain precise depth control was still rudimentary. It was clear that if the United States wanted to compete in the rapidly advancing world of submarine warfare, something had to change. Continue reading “The Little E’s” →