First military submarine. Historical engraving of the first military submarine, designed by David Bushnell (1742-1824) in 1775. Bushnell, born in Saybrook, Connecticut, USA, designed the submarine to pulverise the British navy" during the War of Independence. It consisted of a tarred oak sphere, which was hand-powered by turning corkscrew paddles (upper right). It was designed to place a time bomb below the waterline of enemy ships. The submarine worked well, but the bombs failed to detonate. It is believed that it was the first device to use a propeller under water."