Oldest surviving war veteran subs?

[Dan D]

The German U 1: no war patrols, training flotilla only,
http://uboat.net/wwi/boats/index.html?boat=1

I think, the answer should be: "CSS H.L. Hunley who attacked the USS Housatonic Febr. 1864",
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.L._Hunley.
On raising and conservation of the Hunley, see here:
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM...Byko-0103.html, cit.:
"When all the work is done, the sub will be moved to a permanent home in the ---Charleston Museum---, a tribute to the cutting-edge technology of 1863, uncovered and preserved with the cutting-edge technology of the 21st century."

[Mush Martin]

Originally Posted by Dan D

The German U 1: no war patrols, training flotilla only,
http://uboat.net/wwi/boats/index.html?boat=1

I think, the answer should be: "CSS H.L. Hunley who attacked the USS Housatonic Febr. 1864",
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.L._Hunley.
On raising and conservation of the Hunley, see here:
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM...Byko-0103.html, cit.:
"When all the work is done, the sub will be moved to a permanent home in the ---Charleston Museum---, a tribute to the cutting-edge technology of 1863, uncovered and preserved with the cutting-edge technology of the 21st century."

it is restored but it didnt survive the attack or the war.
maybe as far as it goes the oldest preserved to carry out a war
patrol but her story was told by archeoligists.
Mm

[Mush Martin]

Has anyone other than me ever thought that the french

Farafadet was an exquisitley ahead of its time hullform.
MM

[fatty]

Has anyone other than me ever thought that the french Farafadet was an exquisitley ahead of its time hullform.
MM

Those old fusiform designs are all quite impressive. I think the sub hull designs we build today have more in common with ones from the late 19th century than what we put out much more recently (i.e. World War II). It's amazing.

Look at Isaac Peral's design, circa 1890:


Just add stern planes, make it bigger, and paint it black :hmm:

[August]

My bet is on the USS Turtle (if she ever turns up).

http://www.historycentral.com/NAVY/MISC%202/turtle.html

[Mush Martin]

if she does turn up its clearly the winner as she sank after recovery.
Mm

[Smaragdadler]

There is also Wilhelm Bauer's Brandtaucher (incendiary diver) from first Danish-German war (1850). The ship was built for military use in mind, but she was never on a war patrol (which would not be her task anyway) and could only sink herself. But she has a score for the first sunken sub(mersible), from which the crew could escape alive (after sitting on the bottom of Kiel Bay for 6 hours).


Brandtaucher in Bundeswehrmuseum (Museum of Military History) Dresden

more info:
http://www.science2life.org/wertinge...ish/index.html