“Lee reported British soldiers on Governors Island spotted the submersible and rowed out to investigate. He then released the charge (which he called a "torpedo", the prevailing term for underwater explosive devices prior to about 1890), "expecting that they would seize that likewise, and thus all would be blown to atoms."[40] Suspicious of the drifting charge, the British retreated back to the island.”
Ezra Lee wanted to accomplish his mission one way or another!
Ingenuity is another word for American. I love the name David Bushnell gave his submarine “Turtle”. When he wasn’t able to work the submarine himself called on others to help. Ezra Lee was brave to attempt the risky idea. He may not have succeeded in the original intent, but he still was able to prove it could be done. Due to the immense freedom that is a hallmark of our nation great opportunities are afforded to anyone with the will and ability make their ideas a reality. The only thing our government is expected to do is to make it easy for Americans to accomplish their goals. This is a new part of our history to me, Tara. All your efforts are appreciated.
Innovation is the work of of men and women taking advantage of opportunities availed to them through freedom and liberty. This version of underwater submarine demolition was no doubt the result of years of innovation. One innovation building on another.
And to think, we now have submarines so complex that they only need to surface to resupply and maintenance! Even the Hospital Corpsman on board is trained to work independent of a physician with better training than the doctors of the 19th century! And the ships crew even call him “Doc.” The submarine of the Civil War, although mechanically superior, was still powered by humans. It took getting electric motors to finally have the technology to “run silent, run deep” with an internal combustion engines to generate power to recharge the batteries. Thanks again for this amazing bit of history, Tara!
Washington was correct: this was genius! The underwater detination WAS successful, if not the attachment to its target. I'm glad Ezra #2 survived, as well. Have a great weekend!
The International Spy Museum in Washington DC has, to my surprise, a full size replica in its lobby.
I just find it amazing that such an invention could have been possible in 1776. Remarkable. It's too bad that Mr
Ezra Lee couldn't get the attachment drill to work.
Thank you Tara for another (repeat) history lesson.
🇺🇲 From Turtle to nuclear powered subs with crews over a hundred strong, staying under water for months at a time.
Amazing. 🇺🇸
Per the Wikipedia article about Turtle:
“Lee reported British soldiers on Governors Island spotted the submersible and rowed out to investigate. He then released the charge (which he called a "torpedo", the prevailing term for underwater explosive devices prior to about 1890), "expecting that they would seize that likewise, and thus all would be blown to atoms."[40] Suspicious of the drifting charge, the British retreated back to the island.”
Ezra Lee wanted to accomplish his mission one way or another!
Pretty cool that Tara Ross inspired you to look into the story even further. She does that for me as well!
Ingenuity is another word for American. I love the name David Bushnell gave his submarine “Turtle”. When he wasn’t able to work the submarine himself called on others to help. Ezra Lee was brave to attempt the risky idea. He may not have succeeded in the original intent, but he still was able to prove it could be done. Due to the immense freedom that is a hallmark of our nation great opportunities are afforded to anyone with the will and ability make their ideas a reality. The only thing our government is expected to do is to make it easy for Americans to accomplish their goals. This is a new part of our history to me, Tara. All your efforts are appreciated.
I had long forgotten this story! Thanks, Tara, for this memory and the harbinger of coming machines that it was.
Thanks, Tara.
The History of America becomes “front page” news again.
(I got a D- in American history, but you gave me another chance to enjoy America’s great history.
Very cool, has to be rather scary to operate something that was this new of a concept. Thanks Tara.
I always loved this story as a kid.
Innovation is the work of of men and women taking advantage of opportunities availed to them through freedom and liberty. This version of underwater submarine demolition was no doubt the result of years of innovation. One innovation building on another.
And to think, we now have submarines so complex that they only need to surface to resupply and maintenance! Even the Hospital Corpsman on board is trained to work independent of a physician with better training than the doctors of the 19th century! And the ships crew even call him “Doc.” The submarine of the Civil War, although mechanically superior, was still powered by humans. It took getting electric motors to finally have the technology to “run silent, run deep” with an internal combustion engines to generate power to recharge the batteries. Thanks again for this amazing bit of history, Tara!
Washington was correct: this was genius! The underwater detination WAS successful, if not the attachment to its target. I'm glad Ezra #2 survived, as well. Have a great weekend!
I never knew this. Remarkable. If only it had worked, eh! The Brits would have had a mess.
👍👍👍
Thank you, Tara.