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Discover the Depths: 13 Amazing and Fun Facts About Submarines You Never Knew!

illustration of submarines
Dive into the fascinating depths of the ocean as we uncover some lesser-known, intriguing facts about the stealthy world of submarines!

1. Counting Torpedoes to Sleep

Don't worry about counting sheep, submarine crewmembers count the torpedoes to sleep: Submarines feature cozy sleeping quarters ranging from individual bunks to communal spaces, and while swaying in hammocks used to be the norm, modern sailors now prefer bunking for a secure and space-efficient slumber.
Source => thedonutwhole.com

2. No Windows, Just Periscopes

Do sea creatures ever catch underwater admirals peeping? Not a chance: submarines don't have windows or portholes, instead, they use periscopes that rotate 360 degrees to keep an eye out on foes and obstacles, while using sonar to detect potential dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Source => liveabout.com

3. Romantic Red Lights

Who needs rose-colored glasses when you've got red submarine lighting? It's like turning your naval vessel into a floating love boat for those who simply can't resist the allure of dim romantic lighting: Submariners utilize red lights in the dark to maintain their night vision, ensuring they can effectively navigate their instrument panels and perform crucial tasks such as operating the periscope or standing watch duty.
Source => sciencefocus.com

4. Lingos of the Deep

Ahoy word lovers, prepare to dive deep into the linguistic ocean of submariners: they have their own unique lingo, like referring to deployments as "patrols" since WWII, and when a submarine doesn't make it home, it's deemed lost on an "eternal patrol" – that is, until they're found, sometimes even years later!
Source => wearethemighty.com

Whales: The Original Submarine

5. Whales: The Original Submarine

Believe it or not, submarines were not designed by a top-secret committee of undersea-dwelling whales, despite their uncanny resemblance to the graceful creatures: In reality, the streamlined and sleek bodies of whales merely inspired submarine engineers to craft a vessel that slices through water with minimal resistance. The aquatic trendsetters even lent a flipper in WWII by providing oil and meat for troops and assisting in naval communications - though it's unclear if they ever demanded royalties for their sub-aquatic inspiration.
Source => andyoucreations.com

6. Speedy Iranian Submarine

Get ready for some underwater Fast & Furious action: the Iranian semi-heavy submarine IRIS Fateh can zip along at a whopping 14 knots while submerged, making it swift enough to detect and force the larger, nuclear-powered USS Florida to surface during a close encounter in the Strait of Hormuz!
Source => navyrecognition.com

7. Freezing-Feasts in Subs

Do submarines prefer their veggies chilled and their meats on ice? You bet your frozen-assets they do: Submarines feature two cold storage rooms—one at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for items like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and another at a frosty 15 degrees Fahrenheit for meats, poultry, and fish, making it essential to maintain proper temperature, humidity, and ventilation to prevent spoilage of their underwater buffet.
Source => maritime.org

8. British Submarines & Fine Wine

What do British submarines and a fine bottle of wine have in common? They both age with grace for a quarter-century without a refill: The Astute-class submarines boast Rolls-Royce-powered engines that cruise along for 25 years without refueling, reaching up to 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) underwater, with every submersible soiree ending only when the food runs out after 90 days.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Titanic-Sized Typhoon Sub

Ahoy, matey! Picture a Titanic-sized Captain Nemo cruising beneath the waves with his gang of soggy sailors, complete with lavish aquatic golf courses and steamy underwater saunas: The Typhoon-class Russian submarine, the world's largest ever built, measures 566 feet in length and 76 meters in width, boasts 20 colossal R-39 intercontinental ballistic missiles on board, and houses a whopping 160 crew members, complete with swanky, state-of-the-art amenities for their subaquatic leisure-time shenanigans.
Source => marineinsight.com

Beluga vs. U-Boat Depth Race

10. Beluga vs. U-Boat Depth Race

Beluga whales and U-boats race to the depths: May the best sea critter win! While a WWII U-boat can only handle a meager 208 psi, our melon-headed champion the beluga whale can casually dive to depths of up to 4,125 feet where the pressure skyrockets to an astonishing 1,850 psi. Move aside, submarines – nature has you beat!
Source => randombio.com

11. Stealthy Hide-and-Seek Masters

Did you hear about the submarine that loves to play hide and seek? It always wins because no one can sea it coming! Alas, the secret behind these stealthy underwater hide-and-seek champions lies in their ability to navigate beyond periscope range, employing advanced computer technology and sonar to remain concealed from prying eyes.
Source => timesofindia.indiatimes.com

12. Ice-Crashing Submarine Heroes

Who needs a superhero when you've got a nuclear-powered icebreaker right below your feet? That's right, folks, not all heroes wear capes: the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hartford (SSN-768) can break through several feet of solid ice to surface in the Arctic Circle, fulfilling top-secret missions without giving away its frosty cover!
Source => aiirsource.com

13. Ghosting Captains of the Deep

Submarine captains, the original ghosters: They're experts at disappearing, diving deep, and avoiding DMs—thanks to their reliance on very low frequency (VLF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radio waves, acoustic transmission, and MIT's cutting-edge radar-meets-acoustic technology for staying in touch with HQ from the depths of the oceans.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

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