What Is A 'Dreadnought' And What Does It Mean In Military Ships?
Dreadnought is an intimidating name that's befitting the very ships that bore it. They were equally intimidating to see in person, but what exactly were they?
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How Does The US Navy Test Its Ships For Seaworthiness?
The U.S. Navy tests its under-construction ships over and over, probing for weaknesses in everything from design to construction. Here's how it does it.
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What Does The 'U' In U-Boat Stand For And How Many Of Them Are Left?
Few naval vessels have developed as enduring of a legacy as German U-Boats, but what does that name actually mean?
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Why Some Coast Guard Ships Had Missiles In The Cold War
The U.S. Coast Guard doesn't have the Navy's heavily armed warships, but during the Cold War some Coast Guard ships were outfitted with missiles. Here's why.
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Ocean Liner Vs. Cruise Ship: What's The Difference?
Every big ship is not the same, with crucial differences necessitating different sizes and builds. Here's how to tell an ocean liner and a cruise ship apart.
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Why Are Some Submarines Called Pig Boats?
Early submarines were nothing like the sleek, high-tech underwater craft of the modern day and were often called pig boats. Here's why.
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Was The Red October A Real Soviet Submarine?
The Red October, featured in both a Tom Clancy novel and a movie starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin, seemed so genuine. Was it a real Soviet submarine?
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Sacrifice At Sea: The Tragic Tale Of World War 2's USS Grayback
Submarines were a big part of the World War II effort, especially for the United States Navy. One sub, the USS Grayback, has a particularly devastating history.
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What Does BB Stand For On Navy Ships
The United States Navy has used the same standards to assign names and hull numbers to its vessels for more than a century. What does BB mean on Navy ships?
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Do Civilian Nuclear-Powered Ships Exist?
Six of the world's nations have nuclear-powered ships and submarines, but a few civilian ships have also had nuclear power over the years. This is their story.
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The Navy's Military Sealift Command Explained: Why It Uses Civilians Instead Of Sailors
When you think of a U.S. Navy ship, chances are you're thinking of one with sailors as crew. But a number of U.S. vessels use civilians instead. Here's why.
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Why Does The US Navy Have Planes? Here's What They're Used For
The U.S. Navy may rule the waves, but it also has the second second-largest air force in the world. Here's why the Navy has so many aircraft at its disposal.
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What Does The US Navy Do With Decommissioned Ships?
Discover what happens to decommissioned US Navy ships, from scrapping and recycling to serving as museums and target vessels for military exercises.
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Why Do Tugboats Have Tires On Them? Here's What They're For
Tugboats are typically covered all around with tires hanging from the sides, front, and rear. Here's why those tires are there and what they're used for.
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Why Do Tugboats Sometimes Push Instead Of Pull?
"Tugboat" can sometimes be a misnomer, since the watercraft can push as well as pull. Here's why tugboats are designed to do that and when they might do so.
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Yes, Submarines Can Shoot Down Planes: Here's How Their Anti-Aircraft Missiles Work
Submarines toil beneath the waves while airplanes fly above them, right? So how would a sub shoot anti-aircraft missiles at a plane? Here's how.
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What Does DD Stand For On Navy Ships?
There's a "USS" in the name of every commissioned ship in the United States Navy. But other designations are more obscure. What does "DD" stand for?
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Why Do Ships Measure Speed In Knots?
You've probably heard the term "knots" relating to the speed of a ship, but where did it come from originally? Here's everything we know about it.
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Why Do British Ships Have HMS In Their Names?
American naval ships use USS before the ship's name, but with British ships it's HMS. There's a reason, and a lot of history, behind the designation.
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Why Do Military Submarines Have Sails? Here's What They're Used For
You wouldn't expect it, but military submarines have sails too, but they're not used for what you might think. Here's the real purpose of the naval feature.
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What Was The First Military Submarine Ever And How Did It Work?
Submarine warfare capability is an essential part of modern militaries, but the first sub ever designed for war wasn't a great success.
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What Is The World's Largest Tugboat And How Much Weight Can It Move?
Tugboats are an integral part of global maritime operations, and can do much more than just pull other vessels around. This is the world's largest tug boat.
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Why Were Many World War 2 Submarines Shaped Like Boats?
World War II submarines usually had a distinct look, shaped more like boats than the conventional crafts. But was there a reason for this design?
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What Does It Mean When A Ship Is 'Stricken' By The US Navy?
The U.S Navy has a vast variety of terms that are more familiar than others, like the main deck and overboard. However, stricken may be less commonly known.
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Australia Wants To Buy These American Nuclear Submarines (But The US May Not Agree)
A deal brokered and signed in 2021 for American ally Australia to buy some U.S. submarines is in trouble under the Trump administration. Here's why.
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How Do Submarines Navigate Underwater?
While traversing the ocean's surface, submarines take advantage of satellites with GPS. However, that fails to function accurately when submarines submerge.
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Can A Tugboat Go Into The Ocean? Here's How Seaworthy They Are
Tugboats are mostly used around ports and in rivers and canals, but can they be taken into the open ocean? Here's everything we know about it.
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