Fun Fact #504 In the Depths

 Fun Fact #504

In the Depths

In October of 1812, The “Half-Mad” General Claude François de Malet escaped from Jail. Hours later, France was in the middle of a full scale Coup. The Plan was simple, while Napoleon was occupied in Russia, G. Malet and his colleagues around the Empire would announce the (False) news of Napoleon’s death. This succeeded for a time until another General realized it was a bit of a coincidence that the News had reached all the major cities at the same time, counter-couping to restore Napoleon to power. 

Yet the damage was done. While Malet’s coup failed, it showed the European powers that Napoleon could be defeated. This in turn led to France’s Allies of the German States, and Austria to turn on him, culminating in “The Battle of Nations” near Leipzig, Germany as all of Europe attacked the Dictator forcing him to return to protect France’s borders before ultimately abdicating the Throne on April 11th, 1814. 

However while Napoleon’s hopes were sunk, 86 years later this day would see The US Navy rise from the depths with its first Commissioned Submarine with the USS Holland (SS-1) being purchased on April 11th 1900. It was not the first Sub used by the US as that title belongs to The USRC Turtle used in the revolutionary war to place mines in British occupied harbors –making it the first Submarine ever used in war. However what was special about the Holland was it was the first submarine to be commissioned by The US Military and is recorded as being the first successful torpedo submarine in the world and was used until 1914 when the next interaction was designed. 

This meant that, oddly enough, The US was the submarine powerhouse of the First World war (although they sold most of the Holland class to The UK by the time they entered the war). This threat –while minor given Holland's limited numbers– would be well remembered in Germany’s eyes for its secrecy and effectiveness and lead to the Nazi’s focus on the craft in the lead up to WW2. 

April 11th is now recognized as National Submarine day in The US and I can thankfully report it is free of both Napoleon and Nazis. 

The USS Holland (SS-1) Underway