French submarine Gymnote (Q1)
world's first all-electric submarine
Gymnote was one of the world's first all-electric submarines and the first functional submarine equipped with torpedoes.
Launched on 24 September 1888, she was developed in France following early experiments by Henri Dupuy de Lôme, and, after his death in 1885, by Gustave Zédé (1825–1891) and Arthur Krebs, who completed the project. For Gymnote, Arthur Krebs developed the electric engine, the first naval periscope and the first naval electric gyrocompass. The name "Gymnote" refers to the Gymnotids, the "electric eels".
The submarine was built with a steel single hull, a detachable lead keel, and three hydroplanes on each side. She made over 2,000 dives, using 204 cell batteries. She was armed with two 355 mm (14 in) torpedoes.
Gymnote was partly inspired by the earlier development of the submarine Plongeur, the world's first mechanically powered submarine.
Construction
Gymnote was an experimental design and so was subject to continuous changes through its lifetime. The original design was commissioned by Admiral Aube, commenced by Dupuy de Lôme before his death and completed by Gustave Zédé before his.
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