Oldest submarine wreck recovered

Brandtaucher ("Fire Diver") was an early submersible vehicle first launched in late 1850 in Kiel, Germany. On 1 February 1851, the submarine sank in Kiel Harbour as a result of instability caused by an inadequate system for controlling the vessel’s ballast. All of the crew were able to escape. Brandtaucher was rediscovered and raised intact on 5 July 1887. It is now on display at the Museum of Military History in Dresden, Germany.

Brandtaucher was manufactured by Schweffel & Howaldt in Kiel using the designs of Bavarian engineer Wilhelm Bauer. It could accommodate a crew of three, two of whom powered the vessel by turning two large treadwheels that were connected to a propeller. The third crew member handled steering from the wheelhouse in the sub's nose section.

It had been developed as a way to attack Danish naval ships blockading Germany during the First Danish-German War (1848–51).

Based on its appearance, the submarine also came to be known colloquially as the Eiserner Seehund (“Iron Seal”).