America?s first practical submarine was invented and launched right here in Baltimore.
When he was a kid, Simon Lake read “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” an adventure book by Jules Verne. He became obsessed with underwater exploration. He grew up to become an inventor and, on Dec. 17, 1897, he submerged his own submarine.
The vessel took 12 years to plan and construct, weighed 57 tons and was 36 feet long.
On its first trip, the sub, called Argonaut I, rolled out past Fort McHenry and Curtis Bay. It later sailed more than 2,000 miles.
Lake continued to invent new submarine models throughout his life, even selling some of his vessels to the Navy.
Provided by the Baltimore Museum of Industry. For more information, visit www.thebmi.org.
Do It At Home
Make your own submarine
Use an empty plastic soda bottle to make your own submarine. Decorate the outside, then experiment to see what will make your submarine sink under water.
Try using heavy materials such as marbles, penny stacks or rocks to weigh down your submarine.
Then, test household items (baking soda, vinegar, straws or water) to invent a way for your submarine to rise to the top again. Remember, you?re the captain!
