American Submarine Alligator (1862)

American Submarine Alligator (1862)


For other ships of the same name, see USS Alligator.

Contemporary artist's rendering of Alligator
Career
Namesake: Alligator mississippiensis
Ordered: 1 November 1861
Builder: Neafie & Levy
Launched: 1 May 1862
In service: 13 June 1862
Fate: Sank 2 April 1863
General characteristics
Displacement: 275 tons surface, 350 tons submerged
Length: 47 ft (14 m)
Beam: 4 ft 6 in (excluding oars); height of hull 6 ft (1.8 m)
Propulsion:

1862: 16 x hand-powered oars

1863: Hand-cranked propeller
Speed: 1862: 2 knots (3.7 km/h); 1863: 4 knots (7.4 km/h)
Test depth: 6.8 ft (2.1 m)
Complement: 12 - One officer, one helmsman, one or two divers, and 8 oarsmen
Armament: 2 x limpet mines

The fourth United States Navy ship called Alligator is the first known U.S. Navy submarine, and was active during the American Civil War. The first American submarine, built in the Revolutionary War era, was the Turtle; however, this craft never served in the U.S. Navy.

Read more about American Submarine Alligator (1862):  Construction, Operational History

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