A submarine is traditionally called a boat by submariners - an affectionate reference to the earliest submarine pioneers such as. Cornelius Van Drebbel who, in 1620, dared to submerge in a. rowing boat covered in highly greased leather and rowed underwater by oars. Van Drebbel's boat was designed for the King. of England, James I, who is said to have travelled in it on the Thames and submerged to a depth of 15 feet!
