CSS Hunley

The Confederates had a submarine, and it worked.
The CSS Hunley may have been the first submarine to sink an opposing ship.
Unfortunately successful delivery of the "torpedo" was likely fatal to the crew.
Who knew that 16' of separation between the sub and target; with 160 lbs of blackpowder as the charge; just wasn't enough...

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017...earchers-find/

They had problems with the Hunley from the get go. The sinking after she doomed the Housatanic was the H.L. Hunley's third. When the spar torpedo detonated with Hunley at a range of 30 meters, rather than the planned 120-150, she may well have been damaged. Apparently, either her poor sea qualities, or the damage, or both together did her in within an hour of the detonation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh

Apparently, either her poor sea qualities, or the damage, or both together did her in within an hour of the detonation.

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The biomedical engineer on the research team (Rachel M. Lance) thinks the crew died instantly (or, for the not so lucky, soon after detonation)
The event was modeled, and it turns out a hollow steel tube is not where you want to be.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HopAlongBunny

The biomedical engineer on the research team (Rachel M. Lance) thinks the crew died instantly (or, for the not so lucky, soon after detonation)
The event was modeled, and it turns out a hollow steel tube is not where you want to be.

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T'was early days. Even they knew that though, hence the 100+ meter DESIGNED distance at detonation.