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The history of submarines covers the historical chronology and facts related to submarines, manned...

The history of submarines covers the historical chronology and facts related to submarines, manned autonomous boats that operate underwater. It includes the history of "submersibles", which were designed primarily to operate on the surface, and midget submarines, but not unmanned underwater vehicles. In the 19th century torpedoes were launched from surface "torpedo boats" but these were susceptible to gunfire as they had to close to a short range to launch. There was a requirement for a "submarine torpedo boat" which was shortened to "submarine". The concept of an underwater boat has roots deep in antiquity. Although there are images of men using hollow reeds to breathe underwater for hunting at the temples at Thebes, the first known military use is of divers being used to clear obstructions during the siege of Syracuse (about 413 BC), according to the History of the Peloponesian War. At the siege of Tyre in 332 BC divers were again used by Alexander the Great, according to Aristotle. Later legends from Alexandria, Egypt in the 12th century AD suggested that he had used a primitive submersible for reconnaissance missions. This seems to have been a form of diving bell, and was