The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-08-29
PRESIDENT ON PLUNGER
Made Descent In Submarine Boat
in Long Island Sound.
DELIGHTED WITH EXPERIENCE
While Mr.. Roosevelt Was Aboard the
Boat Was Submerged Fifty Min.
utes and Put Through Submarine


Boat Was Submerged Fifty Min.
utes and Put Through Submarine
Feats.
Oyster Bay. n. Y. Aug 26.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt made a descent In Long
Island Sound on board the submarine
torpedo boat Plunger. He Was aboard
the vessel about three hours. Al one
time the llttle boat was submerged for
30 minutes, and in that time was put
through all OF the submarine feats OF
which she IS capable. The president
expressed his delight at the novel ex-
poriencc and said that he was I'm
menscly impressed with the boat and
with the manner in which she was
handled. In thus Drawing the dangers
OF submarine manOeuyering the prcsl-
dent has ondcared himself TO naval
officers and men the world over and
made Lieutenant Charles IL. Nelson,
commander OF the Plunger. the proud
est and happicst man in the United
States navy.
As soon as the president had de-
seconded into the boat the manholes
were closed and. conveyed by the
naval tender Apache. the Plunger
started for the sound No manOeuyres
were attempted until the vessel was
well beyond the entrance TO the bay.
The water where the trial took place
is about 40 feet deep. too shallow in
the opinion ct Lieutenant Nelson and
bis experts 10 enable the vessel 10 do
her best work. Soon after the vessel
reached the necessary depth OF water
she was directed downward. until she
rested on the bottom of the sound.
Then the mechanism Of the craft was
explained minutoly 10 the president by
Lieutenant Nelson. so that he after
ward experienced 10 difficulty in I'M
derstandng the manoeuyers which
were performed.
While the president thus was restint
on the bottom of the sound in a sub
marine boat. a storm 80 feet above him
was raging unnoticed. The rain de-
scendcd in torrents and the nOrtheasteT
whipped the surface OF the water into
big rollers. but it was as quiet and
peaceful where the president sat as an
easy parlor would be.
Explanations OF the working OF the
vessel having been completed, Lieu
tenant Nelson began to put her through
her PAGES. From the bottom, porpoise
diving was tried, that is, the boat
would ascend to the surface OF the
sound for several seconds, long enough
10 enable her commander to sight any
war ship that might be within view,
and then dive again Immediately. After
this manoeuvre had been repeated a
few times the Plunger was sent down
a distance Of 20 feet below the surface
and her engines stopped. Then the
engines were reversed and the boat as
cended to the surface backwards. Lieu
tenant Nelson made his boat perform
the remarkable feat of diving TO a
depth OF 90 feet and while going at full
speed at that depth reversing her
course. The complete turn occupied
only one minute. Subsequently, the
engines were stopped and the vessel
was submerged to a depth of 20 feet
There she was kept mOtiOnless, DEM
onstration of her ability to remain In
that position for hours while awaiting
an opportunity to launch one Of her
torpedoes at a vessel OF a blockadine
squadron which might be passing or
repassing a given point.
After many manoeuvres had been
performed. Lieutenant Nelson ordered
all lights on board to be extinguished
10 demonstrate how thoroughly the
members Of his crew knew their busi-
ness. they worked perfectly in the
inky darkness, evidently with as much
skill and case as they performed their
duties in the glare Of the electric light
In describing his experience, Presi-
dent Roosevelt expressed great salts
faction with the manner in which the
tiny vessel was managed. He remarked
particularly on the possibilities Of the
submarine torpedo boats in actual war
fare. He related the details OF his ex-
perience with evident pleasure. No
body. not even the members of his
family, was aware Of the presidents
intention to make the descent in the
Plunger except, of course, Lieutenant
Nelson.