In 1620, Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel built the world’s first operational, navigable submarine while working under the patronage of King James I in London.
It was essentially a wooden rowing boat covered in greased leather to keep it watertight, with oars extended through the sides of the boat, allowing the vessel to submerge and move beneath the River Thames.
It could remain underwater for three hours, with Drebbel using chemical reactions to refresh the air supply and could reportedly carry up to 16 passengers.
More💻: https://www.forcesnews.com/technology/sea-vessels/drebbels-submarine-1620-radical-invention-royal-navy-dismissed-novelty
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