Page "1880s" Paragraph 60

* 1888 – 1890: Gustave Zédé and Arthur Constantin Krebs launch the Gymnote, a 60-foot submarine for the French Navy.

" It was driven by a 55 horse power electric motor, originally powered by 564 Lalande Chaperon alkaline cells by Coumelin, Desmazures et Baillache with a total capacity of 400 Amphours weighing 11 tons and delivering a maximum current of 166 Amps.

" She was launched on 24 September 1888 and would stay in service to 1908.

The Gymnote underwent various trials to 1890, successful enough for the Navy to start building two " real fighting submarines ", considerably larger.

Several of the trials were intended to established tactical methods of using submarines in warfare.

Several weapons were tested until it was decided that the torpedos of Robert Whitehead were ideal for the job.

The Gymnote proved effective in breaking blockades and surface ships had trouble spotting it.

She was able to withstand explosions of up to 220 pounds of guncotton in a distance of 75 yards from its body.

Shells of quick-firing guns, fired at short range, would explode in the water before hitting it.

At long-range everything fired at the submarine, ended up ricocheting.

The submarine proved " blind " when submerged, establishing the need of a periscope.