Plongeur illustrates why mechanical power mattered: a crew could no longer be the boat's sole source of propulsion, though compressed air still imposed tight limits. Its machinery delivered only about five nautical miles at four knots, while the ram and spar torpedo still required dangerously close contact. Ictineo II explored air-independent combustion, and the electrically powered Gymnote and Gustave Zédé paired stored batteries with developing torpedo systems. Narval finally combined steam and electric propulsion with useful surface range, yet its modest submerged endurance showed that practical operation still depended heavily on traveling above water.
Chapter · 21:12-31:35
Mechanical propulsion and the long road to viable submarines
Compressed-air engines, batteries, and growing range began to make submarines practical, while exposing severe constraints in endurance and weapons.
Air Independent PropulsionBattery Electric PropulsionCompressed Air PropulsionDrzewiecki Drop CollarsFrench Naval StrategyFrench NavyGustave Zede SubmarineGymnote SubmarineIctineo IINarval SubmarineNaval EngineeringPlongeurPropulsionRoyal NavySteam Electric PropulsionSubmarine DesignSubmarine EnduranceTechnology DemonstratorsTorpedoes