The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-08
HERO AND A PATRIOT
AND IT WAS A SUCCESS
He Ran the Boat Under the British
Flest-Ae Was Unable to Pierce
the Bottoms. but Scared Them
Out OF the Bay.

Hollands destructive submarine ma
chine. which has been prominently
mentioned during the last few days In
the press dispatches. and which has
commanded the attention Of the naval
strategy board. may be the perfection
Of a ship destroyer experimental with In
New York harbor during the revolu-
ton, of which the following interesting
account Is appended:
From the Commercial Advertiser. No
vember, 1881:
Died at Lynne, Conn. on the 18th
lutionary oficer. II Is q little remark
able that this oficer. Of which IL can
be aid that he fought the enemy upon
land, upon water. and d the water.
The latter mode Of warfare wal n fol-
lows: When the British fleet lay in the
North river. opposite the city OF New
York. and while General Washington
had possession Of the city. he was very
DESTROYS to be rid of such neighbors.
A Mr.. Bushnell OF Saybrook, Conn.,, who
had the genius OF q Fulton, constructed
q submarine machine OF conical form,
bound together with iron bands. within
which one person might sit. and with
cranks and skulls might navigate II TO
any depth under water. In The upper
part was a vertical screw. for the pur-
pose of penetrating ships bottoms, and
to this was attached a magazine OF pow
der. within which was q clock. which
on being set to run any given time.
would, when run down. spring q gun
lock. and an explosion would follow. This
marine turtle, so-called, was examined
by General Washington and approved.
To preserve secrecy 1t was experimental
within an enclosed yard-over 20 to 80
81 49, .e
locked I'm a vessels hold. The brother
Of the ~inventor was to be4 the person to
navigate the machine into action. out
on sinking it the first time he declined
the service. General Washington, un-
willing to relinquish the object, request
ed Major General Parsons to select a
person, in whom he could confide. vol
UNFAIRLY to engage in the enterprise. The
latter being well acquainted with the
heroic spirit. the patriotism and the Arm
and steady courage of the deceased
above mentioned, Immediately commun-
icated the plan and the offer. which he
accepted, observing that his life was at
General Washington's disposal.
After practicing the machine until
ne understood its powers of balancing
and moving under water. a night ~
fixed upon for the attempt. General
Washington and his associates in the
secret took their stations upon the roof
OF a house in Broadway, anxiously
waiting the result. Morning came. and
no intelligence could be had of the in
trepid submarine navigator, nor could
the boa 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 barges were seen
to start suddenly from Governors ISL
and Chen In possession of the British)
and proceed towards some object near
the Asia ship Of the line-as suddenly
they were seen to put about and steer
for the island with s%pringing oars. In
two or three minutes an explosion took
place from the surface of the water.
resembling a water spout, which
aroused h whole city and region. The
enemy's ships took the alarm. Signals
were rapidly given, the ships cut their
cables and proceeded to the Hook with
all possible dispatch, sweeping their bot
toms with chains and with difficulty pre-
vented their afrighted 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 up and gave a signal for the boat
to come to him, but 1t could not reach
him until he had again descended un-
der water to avoid the enemy's shot from
the island, who had discovered and
commenced firing in his wake. Having
forced himself against a strong current
under water until without the reach of
shot. he was taken In tow n n
at the Battery amidst a great crowd.
and reported himself to General Wash
ington, who expressed his entire salts
faction that the object was effected
without h loss OF lives. Tn deceased
was under the Asia's bottom or9tha
two hours, endeavoring to penetrate her
copper, but in vain. He frequently came
up undo her stern galleries searching
for exposed plank n could hear the
sentinels cry.
Once ne was discovered by the watch
on deck, and heard them speculate upon
him. but concluded a drifted log had
paid them a visit. He returned to her
keel and examined IL fore and aft. and
then proceeded to some other ships,
but the impossibility Of penetrating her
copper, for want Of q resisting power.
hundreds owed the safety of their lives
to this circumstances"
The article further relates how he was
ever after In the confidence Of Wash
ington and frequently employed I'm %.
cret missions: how with Washington he
bravely fought at Trenton, Monmouth
and Brandywine: how At the latter place
the hilt OF his sword was shot away
and his hat n coat were penetrated
with the enemy's balls; how. on the
return Of peace. he laid aside the habit
ments of war and returned to his farm.
where he lived. honored by all who knew
him until called by the Great Com
mander and Chief above. etc.
What a sublime character, How
grandly looks the old patriot and hero
at this far OF distance of time. and
In the course OF events the history
yet to be written will gloriously record
the daring heroism of Cushing. Hobson.
Montague. Charette. Murphy. Deisnan.
Phillips AND Kelly. los by let IL be en-
Sraved In letters both bold and bright"
the name of the self-sacrificing patriot
of the revolution, Exra Lee.
JOHN mcguire.