Submersibles: The Next-Gen of Sailing?
Sailing was dominant during the Age of Exploration. Whether it is discovery, exploration or colonization, all of the main ideas of the Age of Exploration required the use of sailing. Sailing is characterized by movement atop the water using ships or boats, however what about movement below the water?
During the times of the Age of Exploration, many were captivated by sailing that they ignored the prospect of movement below the water. There were very few individuals who attempted to develop this form of movement.
The earliest designs of submersibles may be seen in the work of Leonardo Da Vinci. Unfortunately, these designs were not developed neither disclosed, as Da Vinci thought they might be used in order to exacerbate war.
In 1578, William Borne drew up more in-depth designs for a submersible. The design also included descriptions of how this submersible would both sink and float. The submersible would carry extra tanks, which would fill when the submersible submerged and empty when the submersible returned to the surface. Like Da Vinci, his ideas were never materialized.
The first design of a submersible to have been materialized came in 1620, developed by Cornelius Drebbel. Drebbel built a rowboat which was coated in leather, with oars which came out in watertight seals. His submersible could submerge to depths up to 15 feet, remaining under the surface for up to a couple of hours.
The submersible is an interesting concept. Unfortunately, with the exception of Drebbel, none of these designs were materialized until much later in history. Drebbel’s vehicle was never mobilized, as it was unable to hold air beneath the surface, which was an issue he was the first to discuss.