Articles, Maritime History, Vessels

John P. Holland

John P. Holland 1841 – 1914
Inventor of the Modern Submarine by Dr Richard Knowles Morris

Paper 241 Pages $16.95 US University of South Carolina Press. $16.95 in U.S.A.

This book is the classic biography of the Clare Man whose technological innovations led to the launch of the first modem submarine in 1897 which made its first dive on St. Patrick’s Day 1898 and was purchased by the US Navy in 1900 as their first underwater torpedo boat. Dr. Morris draws on the diaries and technical papers of his grandfather, Charles Morris was a long-time friend and supporter of Holland and was the superintendent of the Holland Torpedo Boat Coy.
John Holland’s early life is recounted, the Fenians who funded his first two boats, his frustrations in dealing with the US Navy, the robbery of his patents and his final success with Boat No 6 in 1898. Negotiations with Britain, Japan and Russia for the Holland design submarines are told. It is an excellent read and a solid scholarly step towards (Hollands) belated recognition – as the New York Times Book Review stated, earlier this year. It is the 3rd Edition, with an extra new chapter.
Dr. Morris was a professor of Education and Anthropology at Trinity College Harford, Connecticut until his retirement and has written and co-authored several books

Pat Sweeney.