The World s Greatest Submarines features 52 of the most significant submarines built, from the German U-9 which sank three British cruisers in quick succession on 22 September 1914 through the USS Ray and huge Japanese I-400 class of World War II, to the great nuclear-powered submarines of the Cold War, such as the USS Los Angeles, Soviet Oscar class and HMS Resolution. Also included are the bronze-hulled Gustave Zede of 1893; the undersea cruiser Surcouf, which carried two 203mm (8 inch) guns on its deck; the highly successful Type VII U-boats deployed by the German Kriegsmarine against Allied shipping during World War II; and the latest attack and ballistic missile submarines, such as HMS Astute, USS Virginia, the Israeli Dolphin class, the Chinese Type 094, the INS Arihant and the Russian Yasen class.