Eli5: Why did early Military/Naval submarines have deck guns?

Question

Eli5: Why did early Military/Naval submarines have deck guns?

In: 2

Answer 1

To add to the other answers, submarines weren’t always just used for blowing up other ships and subs. Imagine if you want to inspect or capture a merchant vessel – you need to be surfaced to communicate with them and to board them, so it’s good to have a gun to threaten them with.

Deck guns could also be used to attack targets on shore, which are notoriously hard to hit with torpedoes.

Answer 2

To add to the other answers, submarines weren’t always just used for blowing up other ships and subs. Imagine if you want to inspect or capture a merchant vessel – you need to be surfaced to communicate with them and to board them, so it’s good to have a gun to threaten them with.

Deck guns could also be used to attack targets on shore, which are notoriously hard to hit with torpedoes.