Karl Flach
German mechanic who built Chile's first submarine and died in it.
Karl Flach was a German mechanic and engineer who designed and built the Flach, the first Chilean submarine. Historical records indicate his birth name was Karl August Flach, with no widely accepted evidence of a name change after the 1848 revolution. He emigrated to Chile in 1852 and later built the submarine for the Chilean government during the Chincha Islands War.
- Born
- 15 August 1821, Villmar
- Died
- 3 May 1866, Bay of Valparaíso
- Field
- Mechanic and engineer
- Nationality
- German
- Known for
- Designing and building the Flach, the first Chilean submarine
Lore & Background
Karl Flach, born Karl August Flach, was the son of watchmaker Heinrich Flach and his wife Margaretha. Despite some claims, there is no widely accepted evidence that he changed his identity after the 1848 revolution. He traveled with his wife and son Heinrich (Enrique) on the sailboat Australia from Hamburg to Chile, arriving on 3 April 1852.
In 1865 and 1866, Flach designed and built the submarine Flach, powered by crew force and equipped with two guns. The submarine was approximately 12.5 meters long and 2.5 meters in diameter, with a speed of 2 to 3 knots. The crew of 11 included Flach, his 16-year-old son, two Chileans, five Germans, and two French people. The submarine was commissioned by the Chilean government of José Joaquín Pérez to oppose Spain in the Chincha Islands War after the Bombardment of Valparaíso.
Flach served as captain and carried out several successful test dives. On 3 May 1866, the submarine made a dive without warning and sank in the Bay of Valparaíso with all eleven crew members. Rescue attempts were unsuccessful. In 2018, the wreck was allegedly found.
Reader's Guide
Karl Flach's significance lies in his role as the designer and builder of the first Chilean submarine, the Flach, during a period of naval conflict. His work represents an early example of submarine engineering in South America, commissioned by the Chilean government to counter Spanish naval power in the Chincha Islands War. The submarine's loss with all hands, including Flach and his son, underscores the risks of early submarine development. The alleged discovery of the wreck in 2018 has renewed interest in his story, though the article notes uncertainty about the find. Flach's legacy is tied to both technological ambition and the tragic fate of his vessel, which remains a notable episode in maritime history.
Did You Know?
- The submarine Flach was powered by the force of its crew members and had two guns.
- The crew included Flach's 16-year-old son and a total of 11 people from four nationalities.
- The wreck of the submarine was allegedly found in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Karl Flach?
Karl August Flach was a German mechanic and engineer born on 15 August 1821 in Villmar. He emigrated to Chile in 1852 and became known for designing a pioneering submarine for the Chilean government.
What did Karl Flach invent?
Flach designed and constructed the vessel called the Flach, which is recognized as the first submarine ever built in Chile. It was a hand-crafted submersible created specifically for naval defense purposes.
How did Karl Flach die?
Flach lost his life on 3 May 1866 when his own submarine sank in the Bay of Valparaíso. He perished inside the very machine he had engineered, making him a classic example of an inventor killed by his creation.
Why was the Flach submarine built?
The Chilean government commissioned the vessel during the Chincha Islands War as a defensive naval asset. Flach, already residing in Chile by that point, was tasked with designing and constructing it.
Why is Karl Flach notable in invention history?
He is remembered as the creator of Chile's first submarine, a milestone for the country's naval engineering. His tragic death inside his own submersible also cements his place among inventors who were ultimately claimed by their own work.
More in Inventors killed by their own invention 1-24
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