John Philip Holland

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John Philip Holland (February 24, 1841 - August 12, 1914) was the engineer who developed the first true submarine accepted by the U.S. Navy.

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He was born in Liscannor, County Clare, Ireland and his brother Michael was active in the Irish Republican Brotherhood and introduced the inventor to the revolutionary group. Holland and the Fenians conceived a plan to develop a small submarine that could be sealifted on a large merchant ship to an area near an unsuspecting British warship. The submarine would then be released from the bottom of the merchant vessel and attack the warship.

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Holland came to the United States in 1873. In 1875 his first submarine designs were submitted for consideration by the U.S. Navy, but turned down as unworkable. The Fenians, however, continued to fund Holland's research and development expenses at a level that allowed him to resign from his teaching post. In 1881 the Fenian Ram was launched, but soon after, Holland and the Fenians parted angrily.

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Holland continued to improve his designs and worked on several experimental boats prior to his successful efforts with the privately built Holland launched in 1898. This was the first submarine having power to run submerged for any considerable distance. She was purchased by the Navy after rigorous tests, and six more of her type were ordered. He also designed the Holland II and the Holland III prototypes.

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After spending 57 of his 74 years working with submersibles, John Philip Holland died in Newark, New Jersey.

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February 24: February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 310 days remaining, 311 in leap years. By Roman custom February 24 is the day added to a leap year, and the occurrence of February 29 is merely a consequence of this....

1841: 1841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar)....

August 12: August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 141 days remaining....

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