Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-26
President Dives in Sub
marine Torpedo Boat
In Long Island Sound Under
Water so Minutes.
P|unger Maaeuvers Perfectly Ia DemonsIra.
ton Of Submarine Possibilities.

Oyster Bay. Aug. 25.-Presiden,
Roosevelt. late this afternoon. made q
descent in Long Island Sound on boar5
the submarine torpedo boat. Plunenr
He was aboard the vessel about three
hours. AT one time the little boat was
submerged for SO minutes and in tina,
time Waa put through all of the sub
marine features Of which she is cap
able.
The President expressed tonight
his delight at the novel experience and
said thai he was immensely IMPRESSED
with the boat and with the manner in
which she was handled.
In thus Drawing the dangers of sub
marine mantuVering, the President
has cndeared himself TO naval officers
and men, the world over and made
Lieutenant Charles II. Nelson. COM
mander of the Plunger. the proudest
and happest man in the United State,
Navy.
The Presidents intention not only
to make a personal inspection of this
tiny vessel. likely to prove SO deadly
in naval warfare, but to make a sub
marine descent in 1t, was reached af-
ter a conference with Lieutenant Mel
son.
The Plunger's commander explained
10 President Roosevelt the operations
of the boat and assured him that a trip
on her and Il descent into the depths
of Long Island sound would be as de-
void Of danger as would be a trip on
any subway express train.
The special trial Of the boat with
the President on board took place be-
tween 3 and 6 O lock. this afternoon,
in Long Island sound. just off the en-
trance to Oyster Bay.
A stiff northeast breeze which had
been blowing since last night, kicked
up heavy sea in the sound but the
Plungcr behaved beautifully. The wa
ter where the trial took place is about
80 feet deep. too shallow in the opinion
of Lieut.. Nelson and his experts to en-
able the vessel to do her best work
Soon after the vessel reached the ne
ccssary depth Of water. she was di-
recteG downward until she rested on
the bottom of the sound. When tho
mechanism of the craft was ex-
Lieut.. Nel5on. so that he afterward
experienced no difficulty in understand
ing the maneuvers which We're per-
formed.
Lieut.. Nelson then began to put the
Plunger through her PAGES. From the
bottom. porpoiSe diving was tried. that
Is, The boat would ascend to the sur
face of the sound for several seconds
long enough to enable her commander
to sight any warship that might be
within view and then dive again i'm
medidtely. After this maneuver had
been repeated a few times, the Plung-
er was sent down a distance of 20 feet
below tEn surface and her engine
stopped. Then the engines were re-
versed and the boat assembled to the
surface backwards.
Lieut.. Nelson made his boat perform
depth of 20 feet and while going al full
speed ut that depth. reversing her
course. The comnlete turn occupied on
ly one minute. Subsequently the en-
ginHS We're stopped and the vessel was
submerged To- a depth Of 20 feet. There
she was kept motionlesS, n demonStra-
ton Of her ability to remain in that po-
aition for hours while awaiting an op-
Fort,mIty To launch one Of her torpe-
does at Il vessel of blockading squad
ron which might be passing or repass-
ing Il given point.
After many maneuvers had been per-
formed. Lieut.. Nelson ordered all
lights on board to be extinguished to
demonstrate how thoroughly the MEM
pers of his crew knew their business.
They worked perfectly in the inky
darkness. evidently with as much skill
and ease as they performed their duties
in the glare Of the electric light.
During the operations Of the Plung-
er. the tender Apache remained with
in a short distance, prepared to rem
der any assistance that might be ne
cessary.
In describing his experience. tonight.
President Roosevelt expressed great
satisfaction with the manner in which
the tiny vessel was managed. He re-
marked particularly on the possibilities
of the submarine torpedo boats in &C
tuaI warfare. He related his expert
"nce 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 Lieut.. Nelson.
One result Of the secrecy maintained
by the President was that the Plunger
had practically the entire Long Island
sound to herself. There was scarcely
2 vessel in sight, all pleasure craft
having been driven to shelter by the
heavy storm.