Skip to content

A Deep Dive on Submarines

November 9, 2026 · 51 min

Show notes

For centuries, humans have been fascinated by the mysteries of the deep sea. The history of submarines is one of extraordinary invention, daring exploration and deadly warfare. From the first experimental underwater vessels of the 17th century to the devastating U-boats of the First and Second World Wars, submarines have transformed naval warfare and revolutionised our understanding of the oceans.


Today, Dan visits the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport and is joined by curator Alexandra Geary to discover the eccentric origins of underwater travel and the dramatic submarine battles of WWI and WWII in honour of the 125th anniversary of the Royal Navy Submarine Service. He also speaks to Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement, who was Second in Command on HMS Conqueror during the sinking of the Argentine ARA General Belgrano warship in the Falklands, as well as First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins on how AI might shape the submarines of the future.


You can find out more about the Royal Navy Submarine Service at https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/submarine-service


and plan a visit to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum at https://www.royalnavymuseums.org.uk/visit-us/submarine-museum


With huge thanks to Commander James 'Dally' Dalrymple and Annarose Hearsum.


Produced by Mariana Des Forges, Beth Donaldson and edited by Dougal Patmore


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected].


Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast.


History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes of Dan Snow’s History Hit

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.