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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Nautilus


Introduction from the Library of Congress:
Napoleon commissioned the first practical submarine, designed by the American inventor Robert Fulton. Testing of this craft, the Nautilus, was successfully carried out in France in 1800-1801, when Fulton and three mechanics descended to a depth of 25 feet. Further tests in Britain, proved successful in destroying heavy brigs in 1805.

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Nautilus207k Napoleon commissioned the first practical submarine, designed by the American inventor Robert Fulton. Testing of this craft, the Nautilus, was successfully carried out in France in 1800-1801, when Fulton and three mechanics descended to a depth of 25 feet.
This bound manuscript provides explanatory text for Fulton's illustrations of the construction and propulsion of the submarine.
Robert Fulton (1765-1815) "On Submarine Navigation and Attack" Bound manuscript, August 1806
Manuscript Division Gift, 1924 (124.2)
Nautilus48k Drawing from the Library of Congress of Robert Fulton's Nautilus.
Robert Fulton (1765–1815) [Submarine above and below water level] Graphite, ink, and watercolor on paper, 1806 Prints & Photographs Division Purchase, 1983 (123.15)
Nautilus28k Drawing from the Library of Congress of Robert Fulton's Nautilus.
Plunging boat (submarine), above and below water views Ink and watercolor on paper, 1806 LC-USZC4-6051
Nautilus35kA 1806 Graphite, ink and watercolor on paper drawing entitled, "Interior Chambers for Crew, Ballast, and Submarine Bombs, " from the Library of Congress of Robert Fulton's Nautilus.
Interior Chambers for Crew, Ballast, and Submarine Bombs Graphite, ink and watercolor on paper, 1806, LOC # vc004873.
Nautilus25k Drawing from the Library of Congress of Nautilus, entitled "Sighting Mechanism and details".
Sighting Mechanism and details. Plunging boat [submarine]. Section Ink and watercolor on paper, 1806.
Nautilus36k This most commonly-reproduced Nautilus was drawn two years before the submarine was built; Fulton added a deck and made a number of un-documented changes in the finished product. Illustrations which show Nautilus with the hull-form and sail rig of a surface sailboat represent the never-built "improved" version.
Text and photo courtesy of Nova & Captain Brayton Harris, USN (Retired).
Nautilus34k Cut out of the Nautilus.
Photo courtesy of nautilus571.com.

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
The Engineer, as Inventor, in Submarine Warfare
Submarine Timeline


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This page is created and maintained by Michael Mohl
© 2008 Michael Mohl © 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.