An Attack Submarine in 1808 1808 (Norway) 1 Sheet, manuscript with drawing on paper; 15,94 × 36,27 cm; 2 colour photographs of a wooden object 27,15 × 40,84 cm and 26,78 × 40,51 cm National Archives of Norway Regional State Archive in Bergen SAB/A-100006/Eb/0048 Design concepts for submarines and submersible boats have been with us since the Middle Ages, but genuinely feasible proposals didn’t emerge until the 16th century. These were completely enclosed wooden vessels, sheathed in waterproofed leather, that could be submerged. They also included some type of mechanism that would allow for rudimentary manoeuvring. Functioning submarines have however been documented since the 17th century, including those designed and constructed by Cornelius Van Drebbel, a Dutchman in the service of James I of England. Throughout the 17th century, several inventors planned increasingly sophisticated submarines. During the 18th century several projects for military submarines were presented and these cu...