Propulsion

Originally, submarines were human propelled. The first mechanically driven submarine was the 1863 French Plongeur, which used compressed air for propulsion. Anaerobic propulsion was first employed by the Spanish Ictineo II in 1864. Ictineo's engine used a peroxide compound to generate heat for steam propulsion, while also providing oxygen for the crew. The system was not employed again until 1940 when the German Navy tested a hydrogen peroxide-based system employing the same principles, the Walter turbine, on the experimental V-80 submarine and later on the naval U-791 and type XVII submarines.^[6]

Until the advent of nuclear marine propulsion, most 20th century submarines used batteries for running underwater and gasoline (petrol) or diesel engines on the surface, and for battery recharging. Early submarines used gasoline, but this quickly gave way to kerosene (paraffin), then diesel, because of reduced flammability. Diesel-electric became the standard means of propulsion. The diesel or gasoline engine and the electric motor, separated by clutches, were initially on the same shaft driving the propeller. See More