# 3373-77 - 2000 22c-$3.20 U.S. Navy Submarines
U.S. Military Might on Display
Discover the history of U.S. Navy submarines on postage stamps and First Day Covers.
City: Groton, CT
Quantity: 15,000,000
USS Holland
On April 11, 1900, the US Navy acquired the USS Holland, their first modern commissioned submarine.
The Holland wasn’t the first submarine – submersible vessels had been in use for over a century, but the Holland was the first that had the power to remain submerged for a considerable distance.
Holland moved to the United States in 1873 and resumed work on his submarine design. Two years later, he submitted his plans to the US Navy, but they turned him down claiming it was unworkable. An Irish organization known as the Fenians believed in his work and funded his research so he could continue. In 1881, he produced a submarine for them, the Fenian Ram. However, they soon parted ways over a money issue.
Holland continued to improve his plans and built a series of experimental boats. On May 17, 1897, he launched what would become the USS Holland. It was the first submarine to combine electric motors for underwater travel with gasoline engines for moving along the surface. This made it the first submarine to be able to travel submerged for a significant amount of time.
Shortly after it’s commissioning, the Holland was brought to Maryland where it would be used to train midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. It was also used extensively to collect data for use in building newer submarines. The Holland spent its career in Annapolis training cadets. It was decommissioned in 1905 and removed from the naval register in 1910. The Holland was sold as scrap but placed on display for several years before being scrapped in 1932.
U.S. Military Might on Display
Discover the history of U.S. Navy submarines on postage stamps and First Day Covers.
City: Groton, CT
Quantity: 15,000,000
USS Holland
On April 11, 1900, the US Navy acquired the USS Holland, their first modern commissioned submarine.
The Holland wasn’t the first submarine – submersible vessels had been in use for over a century, but the Holland was the first that had the power to remain submerged for a considerable distance.
Holland moved to the United States in 1873 and resumed work on his submarine design. Two years later, he submitted his plans to the US Navy, but they turned him down claiming it was unworkable. An Irish organization known as the Fenians believed in his work and funded his research so he could continue. In 1881, he produced a submarine for them, the Fenian Ram. However, they soon parted ways over a money issue.
Holland continued to improve his plans and built a series of experimental boats. On May 17, 1897, he launched what would become the USS Holland. It was the first submarine to combine electric motors for underwater travel with gasoline engines for moving along the surface. This made it the first submarine to be able to travel submerged for a significant amount of time.
Shortly after it’s commissioning, the Holland was brought to Maryland where it would be used to train midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. It was also used extensively to collect data for use in building newer submarines. The Holland spent its career in Annapolis training cadets. It was decommissioned in 1905 and removed from the naval register in 1910. The Holland was sold as scrap but placed on display for several years before being scrapped in 1932.