Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1840-11-28
DIED,


EZRA LEE, aged 72, a revolutionary Off
Ger. When the British fleet lay in the
North River, opposite to the city of New
York, and while Gen. Washington had pos.
session of the city, he was very desiruus
to be rd of such neighbors. A Mr.. Bash
nell, of Saybrook, Ct. who bad the genius
Of a Fulton, constructed such marine ma
chine, of n rom al form, bound together
with IRON bands, within which one person
right sit, and with cranks and skulls could
navigate to any depth under water. In the
upper part was affixed vertical screw for
the purpose of penetrating ships bottoms.
and to this was attached a magazine OF
powder, wi hin which was q clock, which,
on being set tn run any given time, would,
when run down. spring gun lock, aud the
explosion would follow. This Marine Tur-
tie, So called, was examined by Gen. Wash
ington, and approved: TO preserve secrecy,
it was experimental within an encl"sed
yard, over 90 or SO feet water, and kept
during day light locked up in vessels
hold. The brother of the inventor was to
be the person to navigate the machine into
action, but on sinking the first time decln-
ed the service.
Gen. Washington, unwilling to relinquish
the object, requested Maj. Gen. Parsons to
select II person, in whom he could contde,
voluntarily 10 engage IN the enterprise: the
latter being well acquainted with the heroic
spirit, the patriotism and the firm and
steady courage Of the deceased above men
IlnnoI inntna1t plv N n nj pl the
plan to the officer, which he accepted,
observing that his life was at Gen. Wash
ington's service. After practising the
machine, until he understood its powers OF
balancing and movlng under water, night
was fixed upon for the attempt. General
Washington spd lis associates in the Sc
Fret, took tIeiAstaton upon the roof OF al
4ouse in Broat tsay, anxiousIy awaiting the
Lgesnlt. Morgsrs came, and.nQ intelligence
could be had Of the submarine navigator,
nor could the boat which attended hlm,
give any account Of him after parting with
him the lirt part Of the night.
While these anxious spectators were
about to give him up as lost. several barges
were seen to start suddenly from Cover
nor's Island: (then IN possession Of the Brit
ish) and proceed towards some object near
the Asia ship of the lne-as suddenly they
were seen to put about and steer for the
Island with springiug oars, In two or three
minutes al explosion took place, from the
surface OF the water, resembling water
spout, which aroused the whole city and
region: the enemy's shps took the alarm
signals were rapidly given-the ships
cut their cables and proceeded to the Hook
with all possible despatch, sweeping their
bottoms with chains, aud with difficulty
pfeven ed their affrighted crews from leap,
ing overheard.
During this scene of CONSERVATION, the
deceased came to the surface, opened the
brass head of his aquatic machine: rose,
and gave the signal for the boat to cnme to
hun, but they could not reach him, until he
again descended under water, to avoid the
enemy'S shot from the Island, who discov-
cred him, and commenced filing IN his
wake. Having forced himself against
strong current under water, until without
the reach of shot, he was taken in tow, and
landed at the Battery amidst great crowd,
and reported himself to Gen. Washington,
who expressed his entire satisfaction, that
the object was effected, without the loss of
life. The deceased was under the Asia s !
bottom more than two hours, endeavoring
to penetrate her copper, but in vain. He
frequently came up under the storm CALLER
les, searching Tor exposed plank, and could
hear the sentiuels cry. Once he was dis
t,I, th, IL.
heard them speculate upon him, but conclu-
ded drlted log had paid them yisit-re-
turned to her bottom and examined it fore
and ait, and then proceeded to some other
ships i=but the impossiblity of penetrating !
their copper, for wan. of resisting power.
saved the lives OF hundreds. The longest
space of time he could remain under water
was two hours. For particular descrip-
lion Ut this submarine curiosity, see Sill |
mans Journal of Arts and Sciences.
.4du.
ANOTHER lIERo ooNE.--Jonathan Ma
son, soldier of the Revolution recently
died IN N. Ii. at the age of 81 years. 1t is |
stated that he was once taken prisoner,
and that on being brought beio.e Gen. Bur
goyne, that officer questioned him as fol- |
lows:
Well my lad, what do you think of
yourself now 2
Same as | always did
But what do you think of being priso
1er 2
Why, | think that you and all your men
will be in the same fix in three weeks
All the yankees in America can't make
ne prisoner ut war;
'You'll see.'
In three weeks sure epuogh-Bnrgoyne