The Russian Navy Report

Russia's First Submarine

I have always been interested in submarines, and this is what lead me to read submarine classics like 20000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Hunt for Red October. The latter book is what sparked my interest in the Soviet and then Russian Navies. So it got me thinking about the first submarine in the Russian Navy.

There were reports of some submarine development during the time of Peter the Great, and some other developments during the 19th century. The first real combat submarine however was called the Дельфин, Russian: "Dolphin".  

The submarine was designed by Russian engineers and naval officers for the Construction Commission for Submarines which later became the Rubin Design Bureau. 

During operations and testing the Delfin sank in the Neva river killing 24 men. This was the first Russian Navy's accident with a submarine. 

The submarine was salvaged and transferred to the Pacific, where it participated in combat operations during the Russo-Japanese War. 

During the First World War the submarine was transferred to the Northern Flotilla.

She served until 1917, and was later scrapped. 

This submarine gave the Russian's experience in submarine operations and warfare.