Submarine boat Holland torpedoing ship. USS Holland (SS-1) was the U.S. Navy's first modern commissioned submarine. The boat was originally laid down as Holland VI at the Crescent Shipyard for John Holland's Holland Torpedo Boat Company, and launched in 1897. She was acquired by the USN in 1900. The US Government soon ordered more submarines, which were to be known as the Plunger class. These became America's first fleet of underwater naval vessels. U.S. Navy (cropped and cleaned).