Holland

Design, Construction, and Naming Notes

Holland was built at Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard in Elizabethport, NJ. between 1896 and 1897. Launched on May 17, 1897, three years of effort remained by her designer John Holland and his Holland Torpedo Boat Company before she would be accepted into the Navy. Commissioned on October 12, 1900 she was the United States Navy's first official submarine. She served as a pathfinder for the next ten years, training a whole new type of sailor and developing tactics and strategy. Holland was a tremendously innovative step in submarine technology, pushing the state-of-the-art to its limits. She combined a fully workable system for underwater control with two separate systems for propulsion, one for surface cruising and one for submerged operation, thus dodging the three main devils that had plagued all submarine designs up to that point. Despite her leading edge qualities, she was quickly eclipsed by the rapidly evolving submarine technology. She was laid up and decommissioned on November 21, 1910. Thus, she was not affected by the Navy's change in naming convention for submarines that went into effect on November 17, 1911 and the change in designation systems that was put into place on July 17, 1920. As a result, Holland was known throughout her service life as USS Holland (Submarine No. 1). She never officially carried the designation SS-1 at any point in her career, although many historians will retroactively apply it for continuity purposes. PigBoats.COM will adhere to the official Navy policy that was in effect during the boat's service career.

Holland (Submarine No. 1)

Interior of the Holland looking aft while under construction at Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard in Elizabethport, New Jersey. This view is from roughly the center of the boat looking aft into the engineering spaces. The reduction gear can be seen, but the engine has not yet been installed. At the top is a large opening where hull plating is still to be installed. The hull frames are covered with a large canvas tarp.

U.S. Navy Photo

Holland on the building ways at Crescent Shipyard just before her launch on May 17, 1897. On the right a ring style shroud can be seen around her propeller. It was removed before she started sea trials. This also shows the original configuration of her propeller and rudder. The rudders quickly proved to be too small and were later enlarged, then later moved aft of the propeller. Above and just forward of the upper rudder is a small circular opening for her aft firing Zalinsky pneumatic "dynamite" gun (more about that later). Workmen are clearing the ways for launch and a large object is being lowered down the access hatch at top.

U.S. Navy Photo

The christening of the submarine boat Holland by Mrs. Lewis Nixon, May 17, 1897 at her husband's Crescent Shipyard in Elizabethport, NJ. John Holland can be seen to the right of Mrs. Nixon in his bowler hat and wing collar. To the right in the group of workmen the man in the suit and hat with the wing collar looks to be Mr. Matthews, a Holland Torpedo Boat Company investor.

U.S. Navy Photo

Holland on her launch day, May 17, 1897 at the Crescent Shipyard amid much fanfare, bells ringing, and ships whistles blowing as she slides into the Arthur Kill waters. She is still partially on the launch cradle. At this point the hull is just starting to become buoyant. She is flying a 45-star flag donated by Lewis Nixon. Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico had not been admitted to the Union yet and Alaska and Hawaii were still 60 years away from admission. Holland was still a work in progress at this point. Over three years of tests, trials, and modifications were still to come before the Navy would accept and commission her into service.

U.S. Navy Photo

After making her first dive on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 1898, the Holland made a dive for a Navy Department observer, Lt. Nathan Sargent, on Sunday March 27, 1898 in Staten Island Sound and then returned to the Raritan docks. Here the Holland tested her forward dynamite gun for the Navy. The boat was aimed at Tottenville on Staten Island (The Zalinsky gun was fixed in place) and the gun charged with only 600 pounds of compressed air instead of the 1000 pounds Holland had wanted. Upon firing the three foot long, fifty pound wood dummy-projectile, (circled), sailed 300 yards into the channel.

U.S. Navy Photo

Shortly after her first trials in 1898 the Holland was being written about in several newspapers, giving particulars concerning to her operation. She is seen here moored to docks in Perth Amboy, NJ for the press to see.

Library of Congress

Holland at dock side at Perth Amboy, New Jersey after her initial trials on March 17, 1898. As a result of those first trials wooden fairings were added fore and aft of the conning tower to help the water flow around it. These can be seen here. The muzzle door to the Zalinsky gun is open. Photo circa late March 1898.

U.S. Navy Photo

The April 20, 1898 Trials

Photo taken on April 20, 1898. Left to Right are:

Walter Thompson, superintendent of the Raritan Dry Dock.

Charles A. Morris, superintending engineer of the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company.

John P. Holland, inventor of the submarine.

Mr. Matthews, an investor in the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company

All there to witness the first real trial run of the submarine boat Holland VI on Raritan Bay before a Navy Board of Inspection.

US Navy Photo

Charles A. Morris. A former Naval Constructor in the employ of John P. Holland.

Morris Family Photo

The tug George P. Roe approaching the submarine boat Holland for the tow to the diving area for trials before the Navy Board.

U.S. Navy Photo

The Holland with crew bringing lines from the tug George P. Roe for her tow out into Raritan Bay.

U.S. Navy Photo

Officials and guests on the tug George P. Roe with the Holland alongside heading out into Raritan Bay between Staten Island and New Jersey for diving trials. The second man from the left looks to be a Mr. Matthews, an investor in the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company.

U.S. Navy Photo

The Holland casts loose from the tug George P. Roe and seen just before her hour-long dive.

U.S. Navy Photo

Holland surfaces after her trial dive that lasted almost an hour in length and ran a looping course of several miles. It was also a longer dive than spelled out in the Navy requirements. The Navy was only mildly impressed but around the world other countries were taking notice and offers were made to buy the submarine.

U.S. Navy Photo

The Holland waiting to be picked up by her tow, tug George P. Roe, before heading back to Perth Amboy, NJ. Holland crew members are topside to handle lines. John Holland is the middle figure on the deck wearing his trademark bowler hat. U.S. Navy Photo

The Erie Basin Haulout

After her successful trials for the Navy on April 20, 1898, Holland was towed to the Erie Basin in the south Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. She arrived there on May 1, 1898. The Holland was hauled out at the Erie Basin yard of the J. N. Robins Company that operated at the foot of 50th Street. A new experimental propeller and modifications to her steering were made in this 24-hour period.

U.S. Navy Photo

US Navy Photo

US Navy Photo

US Navy Photo

The Atlantic Yacht Basin Haulout

In September 1898 the Holland was hauled out at the Atlantic Basin shipyard and extensive work was done. A new smaller propeller was installed, and fresh paint job and the torpedo tube was re-bored. She was ready for further testing by November 4, 1898. On the 12th of November fresh trials began. This was the first time John Holland did not handle the submarine himself.

US Navy Photo

Morris Heights Haulout

After some disputes with the Navy over the handling of the submarine Holland reluctantly agreed to redesign the rudder/planes and propeller locations. It was argued that placing the propeller forward of the planes would help the inexperienced crews handling of the sub easier. The submarine was towed to the Gas Engine and Power Company yards at Morris Heights on the Harlem River for these modifications. In this photo the modifications have been completed.
US Navy Photo

After some disputes with the Navy over the handling of the submarine Holland reluctantly agreed to redesign the rudder/planes and propeller locations. It was argued that placing the propeller forward of the planes would help the inexperienced crews handling of the sub easier. The submarine was towed to the Gas Engine and Power Company yards at Morris Heights on the Harlem River for these modifications. In this photo the modifications have been completed.
US Navy Photo

Shown here working on the Holland overhaul is William F. C. Nindermann. He was a John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company employee. He appears to be working on some interior piping for the submarine. The photo was taken at the Gas Engine and Power Company yard at Morris Heights on the Harlem River.
US Navy Photo