Holland Torpedo Boat Station

During the Civil War, John Philip Holland, an Irishman, knew that iron shipbuilding would render the British fleet invincible, thus preventing Ireland from achieving freedom from British rule. With visions of thwarting British naval supremacy, Holland began designs for a self-propelled submarine. Settling in New Jersey, Holland continued work on his plans. He brought his novel designs to the Secretary of the Navy. 

Through most of the next two decades, Holland continued to upgrade his designs and build prototype subs – none of which were ever commissioned by the Navy until his sixth design, the “Holland” in 1897. 53 feet long carrying a crew of five, the Holland had a dual power system and a torpedo tube.

The redesigned sub underwent testing in New York Harbor; while the seas were calm enough, shipping traffic, safety concerns, nosy onlookers and foreign spies deterred proper trials. In spring of 1899, Holland and Rice moved the sub and all operations to New Suffolk, leasing the Goldsmith and Tuttle shipyard for $10 per month. 

Submarine trials continued through the rest of 1899 within a three-mile course plotted in Cutchogue Harbor and Peconic Bay. On April 11, 1900 – considered to be the founding date of the U.S. Submarine Force – the Navy purchased the Holland for $150,000. The USS Holland (SS-1) was put into service on October 12, 1900 as the first commissioned submarine in US Naval history. Subsequently, the Navy ordered six additional Holland-type submarines, all of which underwent trials at the submarine base in New Suffolk, known as the “Holland Torpedo Boat Station.” Holland Torpedo Boat Station had engineers, mechanics, draftsmen, machine shops, housing and all the supplies needed to operate the seven submarines at Holland Torpedo Boat Station.

The base remained in operation from 1899 through 1905, when Electric Boat Company moved to Groton, Connecticut. A historic marker was placed where the station was by the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council.

Sources:

“Holland Torpedo Boat Station.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Nov. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Torpedo_Boat_Station

Philips, Alice. “New Suffolk: The First US Submarine Base.” North Fork Real Estate Showcase, 25 Oct. 2021, northforkrealestateshowcase.com/new-suffolk-first-us-submarine-base