Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-08-24

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Doubtless what was the first sub
marine topedo boat was the invention
of David Bushnell, of Saybrook, Conn.
1t was built in 1925, though Bushnell
appears to have been working on the
idea for many years prior to that.
Of the public men of the day, Thorn
as Jefferson alone seems to have taken
an interest in the boat, for the only
complete description of it is to be found
in letter which Bushnell wrote to him
under date of October, 1887, in which
he fully described the construction
and operation of his unique craft.
This description is most minute and
detailed, but in view of Hollands much
discussed submarine boat and the in
terest all classes, save government Off
Gals, have taken in it, the letter is
worth while reproducing in part. It is
as follows:
"The external shape of the submarine
boat bore some resemblance to two up
per tortoise shells, Joined together, the
hue or entrance into the vessel being
represented by the openings made by
the swells of the shells at the head of
the animal. The inside was capable of
containing the operator, and air suffi-
cient to support him for 30 minutes,
without receiving fresh air. At the
bottom opposite to the entrance was
fixed quantity of lead as ballast, at
one edge. Directly before the opera
tor, who sat upright, was an oar for
rowing backward or forward. At the
other edge was a rudder for steering
An aperture, at the bottom, with its
valves, was designed to admit water,
for the purpose of descending, and two
brass forcing pumps served to eject
the water within when necessary for
ascending. At the top there was like
wise an oar for ascending or descend
ing, or continuing at any particular
depth. A water gauge or barometer
determined the depth of the descent
compass directed the course, and
ventilator within supplied the vessel
with fresh air when on the surface.
"The entrance into the vessel was
elliptical and SO small as barely to adj
nit one person. This entrance was
surrounded by an iron band, the lower
edge of which was let into the wood
of which the body of the vessel was
made in such a manner as to give it's
utmost support to the body of the yes
sci against the pressure of the water
Above the upper edge of this iron band
there was crown or cover resembling
a hat, with it's crown and brim, which
shut water tight upon the iron band.
The crown was hung to the iron band
with hinges 10 turn over edgeways
when opened. To make it perfectly Sc
cure when shut it might be screwed
down upon the band by the opera tor,
or by person within.
"There was in the brass crown three
round doors, one directly in front, and
one on each side large enough to put
the hand through. When open they adj
mitted fresh air. Their shutters were
ground perfectly tight into their
places when shut. There were likewise
several glass windows in the, crown for
looking through and for admitting
light in the daytime, with covers to
secure them.
''There were two air pipes in the
crown, ventilator, which drew fresh
air through one of the pipes ard dis
charged it into the lower part of the
vessel. The fresh air introduced by
the ventilator expelled the impure air
through the outer pipe. Both air pipes
were so constructed that they shut
themselves whenever the water rose
near their tops, so that no water could
enter through them.
The vessel was chiefly ballasted
with lead fixed to its bottom; when
there was not sufficient, a quantity wax
placed within, more or less, according
to the weight of the operator. Its bal
last rendered it SO solid there was nc
danger of its oversetting. The vessei
with all of it's appendages and the op
orator was of sufficient weight to set.
tie it low in the water. About 20C
pounds of lead at the bottom for bal
last could be let down 40 or so Feet be.
low the vessel. This enabled the op
orator to rise instantly to the surface
"When the operator desired to de.
scend he placed his foot upon the tor
of the brass valve, depressing it, by
which he opened a large aperture in
the bottom of the vessel, through
which the water entered at his pleas
ure. When he had admitted certain
| quantity he descended very gradually
If he admitted too large a quantity, in
| order to obtain an equilibrium he
elected as much as was necessary by
the two brass forcing pumps. which
| were placed at each end; whenever the
vessel leaked, or he desired to ascene
| to the surface, he also made use of tho
forcing pumps. .. -. -
l. When the operator had obtained al
equilibrium he could row upward OF
downward, or continue at any particu
lar depth, with an oar placed near ths
top Of the vessel, formed upon the prin
ciple of a screw. By turning tie oa1
in one direction he:raised the vessel
by turning it in the other way lie de