The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-10
SUBMARINE FOR ROOSEVELT.
ENTHUSIASTS WISE HE'D TAKE A
PLUNGE IN THE PLUNUER.
And Believe He Would II He were Not
President-Anyhew, They're Getting
the Crack Boat shipshape to Report
to Him Next Week 1T Oyster Bay

to Him Next Week at Oyster Bay.
The officers about the Brooklyn navy
yard are greatly interested just at present
In the rather unusual orders that have
been received by Lieut.. Charles Nelson,
In command OF the submarine boat Plunger.
The orders came from the Secretary Of
the Navy and read:
4You are to proceed as soon as possible
to Oyster Bay and report to the President
The general impression Ia that Mr.. Roose-
welt would like very much to take a dip
In submarine, II he were not President,
and wants to see, anyway. what this crack
boat can do. Three years ago he went
to Annapolis, fully expecting to 60 down
in the Holland, but was persuaded not to
do 30 by certain members Of the Cabinet
who had accompanied him. On this par
ticular occasion the President Is reported
to have turned on his heel rather sharply
and remarked that some day he would
have chance.
When the orders came for the Plunger
to hurry to Oyster Bay the boat was In
drydock being overhauled. She was
yanked out and Is now lying In the water
way that runs through the center Of the
navy yard. A large force Of expert engin
neers and mechanics is working night
and day getting the little craft into tip top
shape. An entire set Of new and heavily
insulated electric light wires is being put
In her, and the gasoline engine is under
going a complete revamping. Every bolt
and rivet Ia being subj ected to thorough
resoldering and the torpedo tube gets
testing often.
1t will be five days before the Plunger
Will be in condition to make the run to
Oyster Bay. Lieut.. Nelson, who COM
mands her, Is considered one Of the best
experts In handling submarines that the
Navy Department could select. He has
picked crew Of ten men from the various
submarines and every man is being thor
oughly drilled at his particular post. The
psesent plan Is for Lieut.. Shspley Of the
Porpoise to accompany Nelson on the
trip. He also has quite q reputation for
! handling submarines.
Both Nelson and Shapley would be glad
| II the President would make the dive, but
they fear that 1t is case OF mo such luck.
Anyhow. they hope to show him few
| stunts.
Three torpedoes are ready to be placed
aboard the craft and sample Of target
practise with these will be given. The
| torpedoes will not be exploded, because
that would be rather expensive sport.
Instead, two flags will be placed a ships
length apart on the surface OF the water
and the two officers say they will shoot
the three missiles between the marks With
| ease.
Owing to the narrow channel and shallow
water, it il out OF the question to dive In
Oyster Bay. Instead the plunge will be
made outside in tho Sdglnd. Lieut.. Nelson
knows these waters Will having expert
mented along there before. Just beyond
the entrance to the bay there Is a range
Of from seven to twelve fathon,s OF water
and the stretch is considered an ideal one
by the men In charge OF the submarine.
Furthermore, there is mud In Oyster Bay.
One officer stationed at the navy yard
in speaking of the plunger's orders said
Il wish the President would 60 down. 1t
would be a great experience for him and
one he would never forget. In the hands
of Nelson and Shapley he would be as safe
as in hammock on Sycamore Hill Why,
there would be nothing to prevent his try
ing his hand at torpedo shooting, and
wouldn't it be a great boom for the sub
marinesl'
The Plunger is considered the finest
type Of our submarine boats. She was
launched in 1902 and is fitted up with every
Improvement that has been devised up
to date. She Is e5 feet long and has beam
Of IL feet inches. The present activity
aboard her in the way Of repairs is not due
to bad condition. Ordinarily she could
put out tomorrow and mako q plunge
but II she is to perform for the President
she must be in double extra, top notch
condition.