Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-01
PRESIDENT UNDER SEA.
Roosevelt Goes Down in Submarine
Plunger and Cruises About Long
Island Sound

Oyster Bay, n. Y, Aug. 26.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt could not resist the
temptation of going down in the subma-
rine Plunger, and yesterday, after he
was assured by Lieut.. Nelson that all
secrecy would be Observed he boarded
the vessel and made the trip, remaining
submerged once fifty minutes.
The President had not intended to
make the experiment. After it was first
announced that the Plunger was being
prepared here he said he believed he
would not 90 down. Jacob A. Riis said
he had lain awake nights worrying
about it. Mr.. Roosevelt told him not
10 worry, as he had no intention of max
kng the descent.
Couldn't Withstand Temptation.
Thursday Mrs. Roosevelt had observed
the plunglngs Of the Plunger from the
Eylph's launch. So easily and deXtrously
hid Lieut.. Nelson and his crew of eleven
men on that occasion handle the boat
that she was convinced of the utter
safety of the thing. That was exactly
what the President desired. Yesterday
he notified Lieut.. Nelson that he had
decided to 90 down.
The Sylph's fast launch Dart took the
President in his rainy day clothes from
the j. West Roosevelt pier and put him
aboard the Plunger. Then the submarine
with the naval tug Apache as q tender
left it's anchorage opposite the SeaWan-
haka Corinthian Yacht club and pro
ceeded to the point where Oyster Bay
harbor joins Long island sound.
At that point the depth varies between
thirty and forty feet, and there 1t was
decided to submerge the boat. In me
coming tower is a set Of buttons winch
absolutely control the movements OF the
little diver. Lieut.. Nelson explained all
+In 1nrt w
der the commanders guidance, pressed
the proper one and the boat slowly sank
until it rested on the sandy bottom.
Put Through Various Evolutions.
Then Lieut. Nelson began to put the
Plunger through its PAGES. He sent it
scudding through the water at various
depths in various directions and at vary
ing rates OF speed.
The Plunger then would be brought al
most to the surface, then made to dive
about twenty feet. then swiftly the ell
CINE would be reversed and the boat
would return to the surface without any
perceptible stop.
Throughout all these maneuyers the
President pressed the buttons and han
died the levers, enjoying the experience
greatly. One of the jaclies said he
pressed the button which discharged the
torpedo that the Plunger carries, but
this could not be confirmed.
Worked Perfectly in Night.
At one time Lieut.. Nelson suddenly
put all the lights out by pressure of a
button. But he did not stop with that
He went on pressing buttons and giving
commands. And so thoroughly was the
crew familiar with every detail of the
work, and so securely grounded was
every one in his duties, that they worked
the boat perfectly in abysmal darkness.
By the time the boat had gone through
all these evolutions it had been sub
merged for nearly an hour. 1t came to
the surface and finally the President
ngai'i breathed the salt air of the chop
by bay. 1t was pitch dark by that
time. He told the lieutenant he was
tremendously impressed by the expert,
ence he had gone through.
Never for a moment did he feel, he
said, the slightest sensation of danger
He expressed himself as highly pleased
at his experience. For three hours he
had forgotten all about the peace con
ference at Portsmouth, the deadlock
and all the grave matters of state that
have engaged him of late. He returned
home to dinner with a hearty appetite.