Underwater welding by a gravity arc welding process was investigated by using six types of coated electrodes and SM41A steel plates of 10 mm thickness as base metal and it was ascertained that this process may be put to practical use. Main results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Angle of electrode affects no influence on bead appearance and the proper range of welding current and diameter of electrode for the high titanium oxide type is relatively wider than that for the ilmenite type. And the lime titania type, high titanium oxide type and ilmenite type of domestic coated arc welding electrodes of .phi.4 mm could attain the soundest underwater welded joints which contain no welding imperfection. 2. According to macro-structure, micro-structure and hardness distribution inspectionson underwater welded joint, the area between the HAZ and the surface of the weld in neighbourhood of the bond has the maximum hardness value. The structure of these parts is martensite and bainite. Other parts contain mocro-ferrite, micro-pearlite structure, which contain soundness of welded joint free from weld imperfection. 3. On consideration of both tensile strength of more than 100% joint efficiency and sufficient impact value, the welding condition which can get optimal welding strength is heat input of 1,400-1,500 J/mm, current of 200-215 ampere (voltage of 32-33 volts) in the case of lime titania type electrode. 4. Underwater welding strength (tensile strength, impact strength) depends on heat input (or current) quantitatively and they have the relationship of parabolic function. Each experimental equation has a high reliability and its percent of mean error is 4.14%. 5. It is suggested that the optimal design of weld strength by welding condition (current, heat input) could be utilized for a quality control of underwater welding.