Submarines in the American Revolution-- Part 1

You sure hear a lot about the Confederate submarine Hunley during the Civil War, but a submarine, the Turtle, operated during the American Revolution.

David Bushnel is considered the "Father of the Combat Submarine." In 1976, a replica of his Turtle, designed by Joseph Leary and constructed by Fred Fresse as a project for the U.S. bicentennial, was tested in the Connecticut River. That replica is now at the Connecticut River Museum.

In 2007, police stopped 3 men who were piloting a replica of the Turtle within 200 feet of the Queen Mary II at Red Hook, Brooklyn. They were issued a citation by the Coast Guard for having an unsafe vessel and for violating a security zone around the QM2.

The pilot was local artist Philip "Duke" Riley who wanted a photo of his submarine next to the Queen Mary. Arrested onshore were two other artists. One was Jesse Bushnell who claimed their craft, the Acom, was that of his ancestor.

Danger Under the Water. --Cooter