The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-01-06

lay in North River, opposite to the city
of New. York, and while Gen. Washing.
ton had possession Of the city, he was
very desirous to be rid of such neighbors.
A Mr.. Bushnell of Saybrook, Conn.)
who had the genius Of a Fulton, construc.
ted such marine machine, of connical
form, bound together with iron bands,
within which one person might sit, and
with cranks and skulls could navigate to
any depth under water. In the upper part
was fixed vertical screw for the purpose
of penetrating ships bottoms, and to this
was attached magazine of powder, with.
in which was clock, which, on being
set to run any given time, would, when
run down, spring gun lock, and an ex.
plosion would follow. This Marine Tur-
tie, SO called, was examined by Gen.
Washington, and approved; to preserve
secrecy, it was experimental within an
inclosed yard, over twenty to thirty feet
water. and kept during daylight locked
up In a vessels hold. The brother Of the
inventor was 10 be the person to navigate
the machine into action, but on sinking
it the first time he declined the service.
GEN. Washington unwilling to relin-
quish the object, requested Major Gen.
Parsons to select a person, in whom he
could confde, voluntarily, to engage in
the enterprise; the latter being we'll a'c-
quainted with the heroic spirit, the patriot
ism, and the firm and steady courage Of
the deceased above mentioned immediate.
ly communicated the plan and the offer,
which he accepted, observing that his life
was at Gen. Washington's service. AT
ter practicing the machine until he under.
stood its powers of balancing and moving
under water, a night was fixed upon for
the attempt. Gen. Washington and his
ssociates in the secret, took their stations
upon the roof of house in Broadway,
anxiously awaiting the result. Morning
came and no intellinence could be had OF
the intrepid submarine navigator nor
could the boat which attended him, give
any account of him after parting with him
the first part of the night.
While these anxious spectators were
about to give him up as lost several bar
ges we're seen to start suddenly from Go
Sernor's Island, (hen in possession of the
Bri,ish) and proceed towards some object
near the Asia ship of the line-as sudden
| ly they were seen to put about and steer
for the Island with springing oars. In
two or three minutes an explosion took
place, from the surface Of the water, re.
sembling water spout, which aroused the
whole city ard region; the enemy's ships
took the alarm, signals were rapidly
given-the ships cut their cables and pro-
ceeded to The Hook with all possible des-
patch, sweeping their bottoms with chains
and with difficulty prevented their Alright
ed crews from leaping overheard.
During this scene Of CONSERVATION. the
deceased came TO the surface, opened the
brass head of his aquatic machine; rose
and gave signal for the boat to come to
him, but they could not reach him, until
he again decended under water, to avoid
the enemies shot from the Island, who
had discovered him and commenced firing
in his wake. Having forced himself
against strong current under water. un.
iii without the reach Of shot, he was ia
ken in tow and landed al the Battery
amidst great crowd and aeported himself
to Gen. Washington, who expressed his
entire satisfaction, that the object was ct.
fected without the loss of lives. The de-
ceased was under the Asia's bottom more
than two hours, endeavoring to penetrate
her copper, but in vain. He frequently
came up under her stern galleries search
ing for exposed plank, and could hear the
sentnels cry. Once he was discovered by
the watch on deck, and heared them specu-
late upon him, but concluded drifted log
had paid them visit-he returned 10 the
bottom and examined it fore and aft, and
then proceeded to some other ships; but
the impossibility Of penetrating their cop.
per, for want of resisting power, saved
the lives of hundreds. The longest space
of time he could remain under water was
two hours. For particular description
of this submarine curiosity. see Silliman's
Journal of Arts and Sciences.
Com. Advertiser.