Final answer:
The USS Skipjack (SS 24), along with destroyers, torpedo boats, and other submarines, were among the first vessels to implement diesel engines. This transition occurred during a time of significant naval advancements, following the development of steam-powered warships such as HMS Dreadnought. Diesel engines helped advance the capabilities and strategies of naval forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The USS Skipjack (SS 24) was not only one of the first vessels to have diesel engines installed but it marked an era of innovation among submarine designs. Alongside the USS Skipjack, other types of naval vessels such as destroyers, torpedo boats, and submarines saw the introduction of diesel engines during the same period.
Notably, the world witnessed significant advancements in naval engineering including the construction of larger warships like dreadnoughts and battlecruisers. The shift to diesel engines came after a time of great experimentation with steam engines and different methods of propulsion, including Robert Fulton's successful steamship in 1807.
The introduction of steam-powered ships such as HMS Dreadnought, followed later by diesel-powered ones, significantly changed naval warfare. The HMS Dreadnought, launched in 1906, was revolutionary for its ten 12-inch guns and steam turbine engine, prompting other nations, including Germany, to enhance their naval fleets. Nevertheless, the British naval supremacy remained uncontested in terms of numbers even throughout World War I.
As naval technology evolved, so did tactics and governmental responses. The sinking of passenger liners like the Lusitania and the Sussex by German U-boats during World War I led to changes in maritime law and warfare policies, including the Sussex Pledge. This pledge required submarines to surface and provide for the safety of crew and passengers before attacking, which subsequently reduced the effectiveness of German submarine warfare. Similarly, the incident with the USS Maine led to investigations and changes in naval protocols.
Moving into the 20th century, the use of diesel engines in naval vessels, including submarines, marked an impactful progression in naval capability and the strategies used in maritime conflicts.