Insane true size of submarines explained as picture goes viral

People are only just realising how big submarines actually are after a photograph of a single part being transported through a UK town has gone viral.

While the concept of submersibles allegedly has roots as far back as 332 BC, the first submarine to be officially declared as functional was the Drebbel I in 1620.

However, it wasn’t until the turn of the 20th century that the UK's Royal Navy truly began relying on them.

Unbelievably, it’s almost been 34 years since the HMS Triumph - the last Royal Navy submarine to be built - was commissioned, but we’re getting a new fleet very, very soon.

On April 1, traffic was brought to a standstill in the Cumbrian town of Barrow-on-Furness when a forward end of a newly commissioned Dreadnought submarine was wheeled down to the famous Devonshire Dock Hall build facility.

Four of the Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines are set to enter the Royal Navy's fleet (BAE Systems)

Described as a serious ‘sight to behold’ by social media users, the submarine part measured a whopping 22 meters long.

“The colossal forward end unit of the new Dreadnought submarine was transported along a public road to the famous Devonshire Dock Hall build facility where it will be integrated with the other submarine sections,” wrote global defence company BAE Systems, who are charged with building the machines.

“The move comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to our Barrow-in-Furness site for the ceremonial keel laying of the first Dreadnought submarine.”

After seeing a picture of the gigantic front end being transported down the public road, social media users have had their say.

“Part of a submarine, not an actual submarine,” said one Facebook user, followed by two laughing emojis.

Traffic had to be stopped in Barrow, Cumbria as the Dreadnought submarine part was transported on the main roads (BAE Systems)

A second typed: “The size of the things is amazing!! Scale to the houses and cars.”

“A site to behold,” someone else responded, while another replied the build was ‘fantastic’.

Four new Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) have been commissioned to replace the four Vanguard-class SSBNs currently in service.

The first of the SSBNs is set to enter service in early 2030s and will be the largest submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

The submersibles serve as a marker of the force’s ongoing commitment to providing a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, in a constant patrol cycle that hasn't been broken since 1968, as per Forces News.

Each submersible will be 153.6 metres long (BAE Systems)

Dreadnought Alliance writes that the build phase for all four Dreadnaught submarines will take approximately 20 years to complete.

The naval Dreadnaughts are set to measure around 153.6 meters long. This is so 130 crew members can be comfortably housed.

The colossal length also means a larger reactor can be stored, and a significant number of missiles can be carried.

Each submersible will also feature innovative lighting to allow the crew to simulate night and day while onboard.