Unfortunately, the original Turtle Submarine was lost to history and has never been found. However, there are replicas of the submarine that have been created and are on display at various museums, including the Connecticut River Museum and the United States Naval Academy Museum. These replicas offer visitors a glimpse into the submarine's unique design and the engineering innovations that made it such an important historical artifact.
How it work
The hull of the Turtle Submarine was a unique construction, made of oak and bound by wrought-iron hoops. While barrels and ships' hulls were commonly made of wood during this time period, the intricate mechanical parts required for the submarine demanded highly skilled artisans and crafters.
To control its depth, the operator flooded the air-filled chamber with water to make it heavier or lighter as needed. Ballast was affixed to the outside bottom to stabilize the vessel in the water.
Propulsion was achieved through two unique propellers designed by Bushnell. The front propeller was operated by a treadle and crank, while a vertical propeller on top assisted with ascent. The submarine was steered using a rudder connected to a simple lever mechanism.
Operating the Turtle Submarine was an incredibly difficult task, requiring a great deal of courage from the operator. The vessel relied on two snorkels for air, which closed over when the boat submerged. Due to its limited air supply, the submarine was designed to travel on the surface with its hatch and windows above water, only submerging to avoid detection and affix the mine.
Despite the challenges, the Turtle Submarine was a groundbreaking invention that paved the way for future developments in underwater technology. However, its design flaws and limitations ultimately prevented it from being a successful weapon during the Revolutionary War.
Mine
Bushnell's mine was designed in the shape of a keg, and packed with 60 kilograms of gunpowder, making it capable of creating a large hole in the hull of a British warship.
However, igniting the gunpowder underwater was a challenge, and required precise timing to ensure the Turtle and its operator could safely escape. To solve this issue, the team modified a clockwork timing device to trigger a flintlock mechanism from a musket. The sparks created by the flint striking steel would ignite the priming powder in the pan, which would then set off the gunpowder. The operator would activate the timing device when releasing the mine from the submarine, allowing enough time to clear the area.
The Plan
The plan was to get under flagship, attach a mine to the hull and escape. Easy. ...or not?
Did they succeed?
One late summer night in 1776, Sergeant Lee attempted to attack the HMS Eagle. Slowly fighting his way towards the ship, he eventually submerged and crept underneath its stern to drill into it and attach the mine. However, the iron plating around the ship's rudder hinge system proved to be an impenetrable barrier, causing Lee to eventually give up on the attack. As he made his way back out into the Hudson channel, he was spotted by the British, but still managed to release the mine, resulting in a massive explosion that sent water high into the air.
Conclusion
Although the American Turtle was deemed a failure, it was a successful one. Even George Washington described the Turtle as an "effort of genius." Obviously Mr. Bushnell was onto something as submarine warfare would become one of the most effective weapons of the 20th Century. Yet it would take almost a century for the technology to advance far enough for a submarine to execute a successful kill by on another ship. In 1864, during the Civil War, the Confederate Navy's submarine H.L. Hunley became the first militarized submarine to sink an enemy ship. And this is topic for one of future video.
Sumbarine
