The failed submarine attack that still impressed George Washington

David Bushnell’s Turtle Attacks HMS Eagle at Governors Island

In 1776, a Yale grad named David Bushnell built something no one had seen before – a wooden submarine. The egg-shaped "Turtle" could fit just one man who had to crank by hand and pump water to move up or down.

When the British fleet took over New York Harbor that summer, Washington backed a bold plan. Sergeant Ezra Lee climbed inside on September 6 and spent two hours pedaling underwater toward the HMS Eagle.

His tools hit iron instead of wood, and the sub popped up like a cork. The British spotted him, so Lee dumped his time bomb, which blew up harmlessly.

The Governors Island National Monument now tells this story of America’s first-ever submarine attack.

A Farm Boy Trades His Land for College Dreams

David Bushnell worked his family’s Connecticut farm until age 31, when he sold his inheritance to pay for college. He started at Yale in 1773 to study math, right when trouble with Britain was heating up.

While other students stuck to their books, Bushnell ran experiments. He figured out that gunpowder could blow up underwater with the right timing device.

This discovery gave him a bold idea that would change how nations fought at sea.

The World’s First Combat Sub Looked Like Two Turtle Shells

Bushnell built his submarine from oak beams held together with iron hoops. The craft stood about 7.

5 feet tall and got its nickname "Turtle" from its shape. Inside, one person worked hand cranks and foot pedals to move, control water, and steer.

The driver had just 30 minutes of air, tiny glass windows for daytime, and glowing cork for night travel. Local clockmakers Isaac Doolittle and Phineas Pratt helped make the timing parts.

George Washington Gambled on the Underwater Weapon

Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull told Washington about Bushnell’s invention right away. Famous scientist Benjamin Franklin visited and liked what he saw.

Though Washington had doubts, he gave Bushnell money anyway, thinking it might help against the British navy.

The Continental Congress agreed, hoping the submarine could fight back against British ships that blocked American ports and brought enemy troops.

Turtle’s Secret Weapon: A 150-Pound Underwater Bomb

The submarine carried a wooden keg filled with 150 pounds of gunpowder. Bushnell added a sharp screw to drill into enemy ship bottoms.

Once stuck on, a clock timer based on musket parts could delay the blast up to 12 hours.

The plan seemed simple: sneak under a British ship, attach the bomb, set the timer, and paddle away before the explosion turned the enemy ship to splinters.

British Warships Fill New York Harbor

By summer 1776, British forces packed New York Harbor with 50,000 soldiers and marines. Their huge fleet included Admiral Howe’s flagship HMS Eagle, a 64-gun warship that Bushnell wanted to target.

After winning at Long Island on August 27, the British controlled western Long Island and threatened Washington’s army. The Americans needed something to change their luck, and fast.

Last-Minute Volunteer Steps Up for the Mission

Ezra Bushnell, David’s brother, trained for months to drive the submarine during tests in the Connecticut River. Then bad luck hit: Ezra got very sick just before the mission.

General Samuel Holden Parsons rushed to find someone else and picked Sergeant Ezra Lee from Connecticut. Lee got quick training on the complex machine.

Time ran out as British ships tightened their grip around Manhattan.

The Secret Weapon Moves to New York

Teams hauled the Turtle overland from Connecticut to parts of New York Harbor still under American control. Lee practiced for two weeks in Long Island Sound, learning to dive, surface, and steer the tricky vessel.

A small boat towed the submarine to its launch spot near Manhattan.

General Israel Putnam watched the setup, and some stories say Washington himself came to see the strange craft before its big mission.

A Lone Soldier Pedals Toward the British Fleet

On September 6, 1776, at 11 PM, Sergeant Lee climbed into the Turtle and shut the hatch. Two whaling boats pulled him partway, then cut him loose.

Lee pedaled alone for two hours through dark waters, fighting strong tides and growing tired. His target, HMS Eagle, sat anchored off what we now call Liberty Island.

Admiral Howe slept aboard, not knowing about the underwater attacker coming toward his ship.

The Attack Fails When the Drill Hits Metal

Lee reached the Eagle’s hull without being seen and tried to attach his bomb.

He cranked his boring tool against the ship’s bottom but hit an iron plate, likely part of the rudder. When he moved to try another spot, the submarine suddenly popped to the surface.

Morning light crept in, and Lee knew his air was running low. With no other choice, he gave up the attack and started his escape.

British Soldiers Chase the Strange Water Creature

Guards on Governors Island spotted something odd moving through the water and rowed out to look. Lee saw them coming and dropped his bomb, hoping they would pick it up.

The British soldiers went toward the floating keg but got suspicious and backed away.

About an hour later, the bomb blew up in the East River with a huge blast that sent water and wooden pieces flying into the air.

America’s First Submarine Disappears into History

Washington called the attack "an effort of genius" despite its failure.

Lee tried two more missions in late September and early October but couldn’t get close enough to enemy ships.

On October 9, 1776, during the Battle of Fort Washington, British frigates attacked and sank the sloop carrying the Turtle. Bushnell claimed he salvaged his invention later, but the submarine vanished from history.

The world’s first submarine attack failed, but the age of underwater warfare had begun.

Visiting Governors Island National Monument, New York

You can reach Governors Island by ferry from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street, next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, or weekends from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6.

The island where David Bushnell’s submarine "Turtle" tried to bomb the British flagship HMS Eagle in 1776 is open May through October. Fort Jay and Castle Williams are open Wednesday through Sunday 10am to 5pm.

Admission is free, but reserve tours on Recreation. gov.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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