Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-11-30

Died, nj Lyme Cor, on the 29rh.ult. Cnpi. EZRA
LEE, aged u, II revolutionary officer. When the
British feet lny IN the Norh River, opposite to the
city of New York, and while General " ashng
ton had possession OF the city, he was very desi
rous to lie rh OF such ighbors. A MIR Bushnell,
of SaybFook Comm who had the genius OF a
Fulton, constructed such Murine machine, of n
conlcai form, bound together With iron hands,
within which one person might sit, and with
cranks AMI skulls could navigate TO any depth UNI
der water. In the upper part was affixed VERT.
cal screw for the purpose Of penetrating ships
buttons, aisl to this attached Il magazine of
powder, within which was clock, which, on be-
my sci TO run any given time, would when run
down, spring a gun lock, and an explosion would
follow. fhis Marine Turtle, SO called, WINS exam-
med by General Washington, and approved; 10
preserve secrecy, il was experimental within an
enclosed yard, over twenty TO thirty feet water,
and kept during daylight locked up in a vessefs
hold The brother of the inventor was to be the
person to navigate the machine into action, but oh
sinking it the first time declined the service.
Cen Washington, willing to relinqush the
object. requested Major Gen. Parsons to select
person, in whom he could confde, voluntarily,
engage in the enterprise: the latter being well ac-
qu8inte1 with the heroic spirit, the pariotisn,a and
the Sem and steady courage of the deceased above
! mensloned Immediately communicated the plan
and the Offer, which he accepted, observing that
his ilte was III Gen. Waslington's service. Atter
practie'ng the machine, until he understood its
powers of enhancing and moving under water, a
nighs was fixed upon for til attempt. Gen. Wash.
lngspn and his associates in the secret, took their
stations upon the roof of house in Broadway,
anxiously awaiting the result. Morning came and
no intelligence could lie had of the intrepid sub
marine navigator, nor could he boat which aen-
ded han, give any account of him alter parting
w:lh him The FIRST part OF the night
| While these anxious spectators were about TO
give him up as lost, several bnrges were seen TO
start suddenly from Governors Island then in
possession of the Brish) anu proceed towards
some object near The ship Asia OF the line.-as
suddenly rhey were seen to put about and steer
tort the Island with spring. oars. hl two or three
tniantes nm explosion took place, from the surface
of The water, resembling water spout, which
aroused the whole city and region the enemy S
ships took the alarin-si signals were rapidly given
the Slips ctn their cables and proceeded to the
Hook with all possible despatch, sweeping their
houGms with chains and with difficulty prevent.
| ed them affrlghied crews from leapng overheard.
| During this scene of considerations, The deceas-
eel came to The surface, opened the brass head Of
his aquatic machine :: rose and gave the signal fer
the boat come 10 him, but they could not reach
bjm, until he again descended under water 10
avoid the enemy's shots from the Island, who had
discovered him and comnencet.hring in Ills wake.
| hasng forced himself against strong current
nMlsr water until ont oil reach OF the shot, he was
taken in tow aud landed at the Battery amidst
grta crowd, anLreported himself 10 Gen. Wash
ipgton, who expressed his entire satisfaction, that
tbs. object Mas effected without the loss of lives.
'l'hs deceased was under The Asias bottom more
rl&n two hours, endeavoring to penetrate her cop
per, hut in vain. lie frequently came up under
her stern galleries searching tor AN exposed plank,
| an4k could hear the sentineIs cry. Once he
dissoveredb by the watch deck, and heard them
speculate on him, but concluded drifting log had
pail them. visit he returned TO her bottom aud
examined il fore aud ait, and then proceeded to
soa.s other ships; hut the impossibiliIy Of pene'
trs.iing Il,er copper, for the want of resisting
power, sawedi HE lives of hundreds. The leugesl
sIaee of time he coull remain under water was
1--WE. hours. For n particular description of this
submarine curiosity, see Silnuns Juurilul ct Ars
aDA Sciences. Cam. .Aiueft Sc.