The Dickinson press., 1911-03-04
FIRST SUBMARINE.
The American Turtle Was Tried
Out at New York In 1776.
THE BRITISH A SCARE.

Her Attempt to Blew Up the English
Frisate Asia Didn't Succeed, but tho
Enemy's Ships Fled In Terror-Hsr
Second Esoapads Sealed Her Fate.
The American Turtle deserved a bet
ter fate. It was the first submarine
war vessel Of the United States. 1t
was tried out in ITO in New York
harbor. Its inventor and builder was
David Bushnell Of Connecticut, of
whom little is known. The man who
went under water with it and in New
York bay tried to blow up the British
frigate Asia, under General Washing
toms orders, was Colonel Ezra Lee.
The Turtle was built at Saybrook.
Conn. After it's vicissitudes of being
captured, sunk and resting for years at
the bottom Of the East river it was
raised and taken back to its birthplace.
There, after more years, it was taken
to pieces. Its metal went into grand
fathers clocks, which are still ticking
In the Railways Of New York and New
England homes. Its oaken, pitch
smeared timbers were put to struc-
tural uses and all trace of them lost.
Bushnell did not get even a tardy re-
ward for his inventiveness. The coun-
ell Of safety Of Connecticut in TIT di.
rected that he be paid 1900 for his
services in annoying Ships" but there
is no record that he ever got the
money.
Here is the story Of the American
Turtles first exploit as it is told in
the quaint phraseology Of the yellow
ing manuscript where it was set down
long ago:
"When the British fleet lay in the
North river, opposite the city Of New
York, and while General Washington
had possession Of the city be was
very anxious to be rid of such neigh
bors. David Bushnell of Saybrook in
vented a submarine curiosity called
the American Turtle, which received
General Washington's approval for
that purpose. A brother of the in.
fS1LOl Il " OPOA IAC AloSAAAS, Out
GU trial he declined to hazard his serv-
ice. Colonel Lee, distinguished for his
courage and patriotism, volunteered
his services; and after practicing with
the machine to discover its powers a
night was fixed upon for the attempt.
General Washington and bis associ-
ntes in the secret took their stations
upon the roof Of a house on Broad
way, %anxiously awaiting the result.
| Morning came, but no intelligence of
the bold navigator. While the anxious
| spectators were about to give him up
rs lost several barges were seen to
start suddenly from Governors island,
then in possession of the British, and
move toward some object near the
Asia. ship of the line. and as suddenly
they were seen to put about and steer
for the island with %springing oars. In
two or three minutes an explosion
took place from the surface Of the wa
ter. resembling a w%aterspout. which
aroused the whole city. The enemy's
ships took the alarm. cut their cables
and proceeded to the Hook with all
possible dispatch. sweeping their bot
toms with chains and with difficulty
preventing their affrighted crews from
leaping overheard.
Colonel Lee, coming to the surface
during this scene of CONSERVATION,
was obliged again to descend to avoid
the enemy's shot from the island.
After forcing his machine against a
strong current under water he landed
safe at the. Battery amid a. great
crowd, General Washington express
ing himself as much pleased that the
object was effected without the loss Of
life.
Colonel Lee had been under the
Asia more than two hours endeavor-
ing to penetrate her bottom, which, be-
ing sheathed with copper, resisted all
attempts to attach the magazine to
the ship" 'rr@s
Apparently the American Turtle
made II more attempt to annoy the
enemy's shipping before she ended her
career. Another old diary preserved by
a Connecticut family mentions this in
cident. 1t seems that the Turtle,
manned by some nameless hero, per-
haps again by Colonel Lee, though the
chronicler does not state, made an at
tempt to blow up a British ship in the
East river. BY this time the British
appear to have discovered what nature
Of craft it was that had essayed to dc
stroy the Asia and so were. on the
lookout for anything suspicious that