Submarines

Submarines are amazing vehicles that travel underwater. They can dive deep below the ocean's surface and stay there for months. The crew lives inside and breathes air made by special machines. Submarines are used by the military, scientists, and explorers.

How Submarines Work

Submarines have special tanks called ballast tanks. To dive, the tanks fill with water, making the sub heavier. To rise, air is pumped into the tanks to push the water out. Nuclear submarines can make their own power and stay underwater for months without coming up for fuel.

Exploring the Deep

Scientists use small submarines called submersibles to explore the deep ocean. In 1960, the Trieste dove to the deepest point in the ocean, nearly 7 miles down. Submersibles have discovered strange creatures and sunken ships. They even found the wreck of the Titanic in 1985.

Fun Facts

• The deepest a submarine has ever gone is nearly 36,000 feet, almost 7 miles underwater.
• Submarine crews make fresh water from seawater and create their own oxygen.
• The first military submarine was used during the American Civil War in 1864.

Did You Know?

Life on a submarine is so cramped that sailors often share beds! When one person wakes up for their shift, another person takes the same bed. This is called 'hot bunking.'