Letters Relating to Alligator’s Construction & Deployment
The following letters come from
the National Archives Record Group 71, which were photographed by Jim Christley
at the Submarine Force Museum Library and transcribed by Chuck Veit.
Additionally, the 14 October 1862 letter from Villeroi to DuPont was discovered
at the Hagley Museum in Delaware by historian Paul Schopp and translated by
Catherine Marzin (NOAA)
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2. The
owners of the Villeroi Sub-marine Propeller having proposed to dispose
of this new arm to the Government of the United States respectfully
submit the following proposition: They
will sell the said invention with all the specifications, plans,
drawings, and secrets pertaining thereto, and the boat already
constructed for salvage purposes, with all the apparatus connected
therewith for a sum of money to be hereafter agreed upon. Mr
Villeroi would offer his services to superintend the construction of the
boat, drill the crew, and conduct in person the sub-marine operations. Should
the first proposition made by the owners of the Villeroi sub-marine
propeller not meet with approval by the Government of the united States,
they respectfully offer to substitute the following. Proposition
No. 3: They
would agree to superintend the construction of an iron sub-marine
propeller for hostile operations, not to exceed in cost fourteen
thousand dollars, and to be completed in forty days after the contract;
(the Government to pay for the work as executed), and to dispose of said
invention with all the plans, specifications, secrets, etc. pertaining
thereto for a sum of money to be hereafter agreed upon, contingent
upon the success of aid vessel, the money to be paid as soon as the boat
shall be satisfactorily tested by a commission appointed by the
Government. As
it would be necessary to the Government to have the boat already built
(the same reported upon by a Commission of Officers at the Philad’a
Navy Yard July 7th 1861) as a school of instruction
to drill a crew while constructing another
upon a larger scale for war purposes, the owners would expect the
Government to take the same at cost. Should
the first and second propositions respectfully submitted to the
Government of the United States by the owners of the Villeroi sub-marine
propeller be rejected, they would agree to contract to perform a
specific undertaking. They
will contract to blow up one or more vessels of war at the Norfolk Navy
Yard for a sum equivalent to the damage inflicted upon the enemy, to be
paid them on the destruction of the property. |
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3.
Navy
Yard Phila. July
7th 1861 Sir, In
obedience to your order of May 3oth 1861,
the Diving Machine of Mr De Villeroi being reported ready for
inspection, we proceeded to Delanco, New jersey to examine it, and have
the honor to make the following report: The
submarine propeller submitted to our inspection consists of an iron
cylinder, cone shaped at the two extremities, about thirty feet in
length, by four feet at its greatest diameter. It is propelled by means
of a screw in the stern, with two pinions, one on either side,
resembling somewhat a whale in external form and appearance. Light is
communicated to the interior by means of glass bulls eyes on the back,
thirty six in number. An ellipsoidal section eight inches in height,
opening and closing at will, affords entrance and exit to a crew of from
six to twelve men, according
to the speed required. A corresponding section at the bottom of the boat
admits the egress of the divers, who breathing by means of tubes
attached to the boat, are enabled to perform submarine operations, such
as raising sunken cargoes and attaching torpedoes to the bottoms of
hostile vessels. An artificial atmosphere perfectly respirable by the
men is generated by the inventor, by a chemical process, so that the
submerged boat executes its maneuvers without any connection to the
surface. Its entire apparatus is contained in the interior and invisible
from the outside. In
justice to Mr De Villeroi we should state that the boat in question was
constructed for salvage purposes and not for war uses (for the latter,
he proposes if his services are accepted by the Government, to construct
another on a larger scale, whose greater capacity would afford
additional facilities for the maneuvers of the men, while it would also
be provided with a greatly increased power of propulsion, so that in the
experiment we have considered the machine employed simply as a model to
demonstrate the principles to be established by the inventor. From
the experiments we have witnessed, corroborated by those made
previously, we consider that Mr De Villeroi has demonstrated the
following principles: 1st
– The ability to remain submerged for a length of time without
communication with the surface or external atmosphere, and without the
least fatigue or exhaustion to the men. 2nd
– That of sinking and raising his boat at pleasure six [?] immersions
and emersions. 3rd
– Ability of the men to leave and return to the boat while under
water. 4th
– Ability of a man leaving the boat to live for a length of time under
water, breathing by means of a tube connected with the boat. With
regard to locomotion, the commission cannot form any decided opinion,
but are under … [missing page] The
examination of the telescope called for in your order has not been made,
[it] not having been brought to our notice by the inventor. Very
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant Signed: Henry
K. Hoff, Commander Charles
Steadman, Commander Robert
Danby, Chief Engineer Capt.
S. F. Dupont Commanding U.S. Naval Station Philadelphia |
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5. Philadelphia,
March 8, 1861 To
the President of the United States Abraham Lincoln Excellency, I
have had the honor to remit a letter to you by Mrs Villeroi, my wife, a
letter containing the proposition and description of a new maritime
weapon, under the title, Submarine navigation. After
the different experiments required by the commission, named by Commodore
Dupont, the reports having been satisfactory, the Navy Department
ordered the construction of a propeller, according to my system on a
large scale, nominating me chief engineer and superintendent of the
construction. Now
the propeller is finished and ready to go on an expedition. The crew
consists of 20 select Frenchmen whom I am to command in person. My
nomination as officer, with a salary of 2000 dollars a year, has been
announced tome in a letter from the first of November last, signed by
Commodore Joseph Smith for the secretary. But as I have not yet received
that commission as officer, commander of the propeller, I should be
happy to receive it from the hands of Your Excellency as having received
the first proposition of my services for the national cause when worthy
representatives … …
properly equipped, it becomes an easy matter to reconnoiter the
enemy’s coast, to land men, ammunition, etc., at any given point, to
enter harbors, to keep up intelligences [and] to carry explosive bombs
under the very keels of vessels [--all] that without being seen. With a
few such boats, manned [each] one by about a dozen men, the most
formidable fleet could be annihilated in a short time. The one that [we]
have experimented with is thirty-two feet in length, is built of iron,
and is furnished with a screw propeller. It can be made to go on the
surface of the water [and] at any depth almost—below and without any
communication whatever with the external atmosphere. When under water,
the men can go out of the boat to perform any work, to remove any object
from the bottom, etc., and come in again without the least difficulty
(see the relation in the North American and United States Gazette
hereinclosed). After
this communication, Sir, should you [find] my services to be profitable
to the grand cause of [the] Union, I could place myself at your disposal
[also] my boat and a well practiced crew. And [should] several such
boats be deemed necessary, I could have them promptly built and [their]
respective crews could be made to practice . . . …
I have the honor to be with distinguished consideration, Your
Excellency’s Most
Obedient Servant, De
Villeroi, civil engineer 1325
Pine Street |
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6.
Philadelphia,
26th Sept 1861 Hon.
Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Washington Sir, Some
time since two reports were made to the Navy Department relative to a
proposition I had made tendering my services to the Government of the
united States. They were submitted by a Commission of Officers attached
to the Navy Yard at Philadelphia appointed by Capt. Dupont. One
of those reports referred to my plan of submarine navigation and the
other to a telescope so constructed as to show the distance from one
point to another (whether accessible or not) without the necessity of
any calculation or actual measurement whatever. The
experiments having proved satisfactory to the Commission under whose
inspection they were made, I am desirous to know the result of their
reports, and therefore beg leave to request, Sir, that you will come the
favor to cause me to be informed of what conclusion the Government has
come to in regard to the offer of my services. I
have the honor to be Sir, Your
obedient servant De
Villeroi, civil engineer 1325
Pine Street, Philadelphia |
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7.
Bureau
of Yards & Docks 16th
Oct. 1861 Honorable
Gideon Welles Secretary
of the Navy Sir, I
have the honor to acknowledge the reference to this Bureau of the report
of a Board of Officers of whom Captain Hoff of the Navy was the senior,
on the plan and performance of a submarine apparatus by Mr De Villeroi,
and beg to submit the following remarks. I
have given the report a cursory examination and find that some of the
features of this invention have been used by Professor Ryerson of New
York, but to what extent I am unable to say. Mr De Villeroi supplies an
atmosphere by chemical process, but the means are not stated, nor the
mode of raising and lowering the vessel in the water at the will of the
operator. The
experiment appears to have been quite satisfactory to the Board, but in
my opinion the trial was made on too small a scale to test the
efficiency of such a vessel for war purposes. For
many years the ingenuity of man has been taxed to invent means of
destroying an enemy’s vessels by attaching explosive machines to their
bottoms, but such means have not, to my knowledge, ever yet proved
successful. There is a difficulty of holding on whilst attaching the
instrument of destruction to the vessel, when the operators cannot touch
the bottom. I
infer that a vessel could be constructed upon the proposed plan, which
would enable those trained to the work to move at pleasure under water
at a slow rate of speed, provided the current be not too great, and the
compass be properly adjusted to the interior of the iron vessel. If
the boat proposed by the inventor can be propelled at the rate of three
miles per hour, and the persons working it can detach themselves from it
and operate outside, returning to it in safety, the invention might
prove useful against vessels in an enemy’s port or in a roadstead. To
make a more extended and perfect test, a boat should be built under the
direction of the inventor, the cost of which I am informed will not
exceed $14,000, and men employed who are trained to work it. Such a
vessel could be used for war purposes as well as for general submarine
explorations. The
inventor and his friends propose to enter into contract with the
Government for a given sum, to destroy the vessels in the port of
Norfolk, without pay in the event of failure. This would be a safe
experiment for the Government and probably the most satisfactory for
both parties, provided the price to be paid is limited to the amount of
damage inflicted on the enemy. How
far the Department may feel disposed to patronize this invention by a
further test of its merits, or by contracting with the owners to perform
certain service for a stipulated sum, is for you to decide. The
report of the Board is herewith returned.
I
have the honor to be Very
respectfully, Your
obedient servant, Joseph
Smith |
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8.
Bureau
of Yards & Docks 1
November 1861 DeVilleroi,
B. Engineer Philadelphia By
order of the Secretary of the Navy you are hereby appointed and put in
charge of the construction of the iron sub-marine propeller, on your
plan, under the contract of this date with Mr Martin Thomas; the vessel
to be built at Philadelphia; you to select the crew on terms to be
approved by the Department, to work the same when completed. Your
pay will be at the rate of $2000 per annum for the time you shall be
employed by the Navy Department, to be paid monthly. You
will employ only such men for the crew of the vessel as may be
absolutely necessary for your purposes, and the Navy Department will
furnish more men when you require them. You will please be particular in
the construction of this propeller that no mistake be made and see that
it be well provided, according to contract in all respects, for
immediate action in the service intended, of which you have been
informed. Respectfully Your
obedient servant Joseph
Smith |
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17.
Rec’d
21 Dec Phil’a
Dec 20, 1861 Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau etc. Dear
Sir, In
view of the threatened trouble with England, would it not be well to
build four or five more of Villeroi’s submarines? The expense would be
a trifle compared with possessing the means of clearing our rivers
and bays of blockaders. Mr
de Villeroi has put his invention in writing, and I have read it and
sealed it up, as provided in the contract, and signed the certificate. I
have no doubt of its success.
With
great respect Yours
most truly W.
L. Hirst |
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18.
Bureau
of Yards & Docks 21
December 1861 Hirst,
W. L. Philadelphia,
Penn’a I
have yours of the 20th inst. The Navy Dept. will not order
any more of Mr de Villeroi’s submarine propellers till after the one
now contracted for shall have been tried. If it performs all that the
inventor sets forth, no doubt more will be required. I
presume you translated the description of Mr de Villeroi’s secrets and
certified that it truly describes the invention.
Yours
Respectfully, Joseph
Smith |
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19.
Phil’a Dec.
22, 1861 Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Yards and Docks Your
communication of yesterday is rec’d. The
suggestion as to multiplying the propeller was my own. I had not seen
the parties. I felt, as a citizen, that such a means of protection to
our inland waters would be very effective in the contingency of a war
with England. The
statement of M. de Villeroi is simple and complete. I do not recollect
whether it is translated. I know that the original is in French, for I
went over it carefully and minutely, and was satisfied, but I do not
recollect whether a translation accompanied it, and as it is sealed up,
I am unable to say. I
rec’d your telegraph this afternoon, and sent for Mr Thomas. He says
the propeller is on the point of being finished; it will be done in a
day or two; but he is very … on the subject of towing it by sea. He
thinks it cannot be done, but that there is no risk in taking it by the
way of the canal and Chesapeake Bay. I certainly think it is the most
judicious mode of getting it to the point desired, unless it could be
taken on board the Brooklyn. Mr
Thomas will call on you on Thursday. The
sealed package, with my certificate, are in my fire proof, ready to be
forwarded when requested. They have not been out of my possession.
Respectfully, Your
most obedient servant W.
L. Hirst |
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21.
Philadelphia,
December 29th 1861 Commodore
Joseph Smith Sir, I
have the honor to send you the list of the new men on my equipage. According
to your instructions I have delayed their engagement as long as
possible; but I could not leave to the last day to complete their
number, as the men I need are scarce and must be taken as soon as they
are found. Too many persons of high standing in the present
circumstances give the example of treason and insubordination, to be
prudent to trust the first comers among sailors. Consequently my crew is
entirely composed of French. Not because they are better than others in
other respect, but I am sure of their fidelity and obedience.
Moreover they learn during the construction to get familiar with the
pieces, which they have to manoeuvre afterwards. And soon after the
workmen have left and on Sundays they help me to prepare the work for
the next day. I only want the divers, but they are difficult to find at
this season. I am obliged to go to New York for that, whilst the vessel
is being painted inside and outside, after variation. As
to the bounty, if you can not grant anything under that name, it is
possible to pass that miserable small sum of ten dollars under the title
of recruiting and travelling expenses. Reliable men of good conduct who
de[v]ote themselves to an exceptional service for the national cause
deserve well some little favor. If
the contractor had been willing to pay more liberally to have the work
done on Sundays or in the night as it is done at present in the workshop
for other kinds of work, there would have been no delay. As to me I work
day and night at the plans and surveying a good execution. I
have the honor to be Respectfully
Yours [sic] Very
humble servant De
Villeroi (Crew list from separate page:)
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67.
Phil:
May 5th 1862 Commodore
Jos Smith My
dear Sir, I
regret that you have any doubt as to the success of the Propeller. It is
a sure thing. I am not sanguine, generally, but in this
matter I have not the slightest doubt of success. But we must force M.
deV. On, for his own sake, as well as the Government. If he will not
act, without delay, do not hesitate to strike the blow. It is a thousand
times more sure and safe than the Monitor was. That depended on a
fight—this, on no such danger. The young Frenchman …
last night is willing to go without DeV., as
is his companion and they say would do better without him,
under the orders of an energetic young officer. There is no
risk in the experiment, at all—I
hope you will not allow an hour to be lost. I can’t understand DeV. He
has been chattering with other parties, but they won’t touch him, nor
will any honorable man collude with him to supplant the parties now
interested, who have advanced so much money, time, and energy to
befriend DeV. I would like you to write him the [changed?] kind of
orders, even stronger than the last, tho’ that had the real gist in
it. The Gov’t must keep this invention. DeV. Is old and
if this fails, and he dies, it is gone. You
might safely write DeV. that I have all the
power to settle the matter. I shall
not abuse your confidence, nor use it in any way except first approved
by you. But it will bring him to me and enable me to advise with effect.
He always used to trust to my advice, implicitly, and I can easily
restore his confidence if there is a chance.
… W.
L. Hirst |
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73.
Bureau
of Yards & Docks May
7th 1862 Hirst,
Wm L. Attorney
at Law Philadelphia Your
letter of the 6th inst. has been received. I have written a
letter to Mr De Villeroi, of which the enclosed is a copy. If
you cannot see him and make a satisfactory arrangement with him, the
Department authorizes you to use the secret confided to you, and prepare
the boat with a crew to go to Fortress Monroe as soon as possible,
notifying the Department when the boat is ready to be shipped. I
enclose an order to Comm. Pendergrast to reclaim the apparatus which ahs
been paid for and is the property [of the] U. States, now deposited at
De Villeroi’s boarding house. Commo.
Pendergrast has been directed to order a Board of competent officers to
witness the experimental trial of the boat tomorrow.
Respectfully, Your
obedient servant, Jos.
Smith |
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80. Rec’d
13 May Phil’a 12
May 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Yards & Docks Dear
Sir, I
wrote yesterday to you, on hearing the glorious Norfolk news, asking
whether your instructions are still in force, and desiring a telegram if
you had otherwise determined (tho’ I think not) as I proposed to
enlist the crew today. I postponed that until tomorrow when I will do so
at $40 per month, during your pleasure, every thing included, unless I
receive your telegram. It
is necessary to do so or they will scatter. One has already shipped on a
boat, a merchantman. I
would recommend the payment of the back wages of the first four who
signed the original articles, as they have been constantly faithful to
the boat and are indispensable. Their names are Alex Rhode, Henri and
Jean Lambert, and Jean Frank. It
is necessary to have a head in place of M. DeVilleroi on the boat. Mr
Wickenham, who was on the Expedition to Sebastopol to raise the sunken
ships, warmly recommends Mr Samuel Eakins, who was 18 months at that
submarine work and … the protect/protest c…, skill of activity
there. For his fitness, he would be available right-… if you can rely
on the testimony of M Wickenham. Mr Eakins was on board the boat today
and expressed the most perfect confidence in its success. Mr E. is a
practical electrician and perfectly experienced in submarine explosions.
If you approve I will ascertain his terms. Mr
DeVilleroi is not yet heard from, and I consider that he has, for some
comprehensible reason, abandoned the matter. I have acted accordingly,
pursuant to your instructions. Mr
Thomas is pushing on the boat. It was tried today while Mr Eakins was on
board, and propelled, mainly submerged, with 12 fins, faster than was
expected of her. The
Commodore has approved the boat and I am daily in expectation of being
ready for the test trial.
Respectfully, W. L. Hirst |
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81. Rec’d
13 May Bureau
of Yards & Docks 13th
May 1862 Hirst,
Wm L Phil’a
Your
letter of the 12th inst. has been received. You
will pay the four men who were first engaged and took the oath of
allegiance their back wages, as you recommend. You
will engage Mr Eakins, provided De Villeroi still declines to comply
with the request of the Department, and such of the crew as you may deem
necessary, to be continued during the pleasure of the Government upon
their taking the oath of allegiance. The pay of Mr Eakins is to be the
same as that allowed to Mr De Villeroi, and the wages of the crew at a
rate of $40 per month. The Propeller will remain at the yard for the
present, there being nothing now for her to do. I
regret the trouble which arose between De Villeroi and the contractor,
and was in hopes that you would effect a reconciliation and secure his
services. He
has however only himself to reproach for his contumacy.
Respectfully, Jos.
Smith |
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82.
This
agreement in two parts entered into this thirteenth day of May AD 1862
between Alexander Rhodes, John Lambert, Joseph N. Bates, Amos W. Austin,
Howard Bates, William Ross, Philip C. McCarran, Benjamin B. Claypool,
and Cooper Woodington of the first part and Commodore Joseph Smith,
Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks acting under the Navy
Department of the United States of the other part, witnesseth, We
parties of the first part agree to serve the United States as operatives
in the Submarine Propeller under contract with Martin Thomas for and
during the time they shall be employed by the United States at the rate
of twenty four dollars per month each for … for [subsistence?] and
necessary clothing for the work; and they further agree to sign the oath
of allegiance to the United States as prescribed and which to the law of
the United States enacted for the government of the Navy of the United
States. And
the party of the second part agrees to pay them the said wages monthly,
with ten dollars bounty each on signing this agreement as bounty for
engaging in the perilous services of this propeller under orders of the
Government placed over them. It
is further agreed that the pay of the said parties of the first part
shall commence from the 12th day of May instant. In
witness whereof the said parties have hereto set their hands and seals
this day and year aforesaid. Signed,
sealed, and delivered in presence of W. L. Hirst as to parties of the
first part. (Listing
names of crew) Alexander
Rhodes John
Lambert Joseph
N. Bates Amos
W. Austin Howard
Bates William
Ross Philip
C. McCarran Benjamin
B. Claypool Cooper
Woodington (Also:) Names
of the old crew of the Submarine Propeller, with the time each served,
etc., as given to me by Alexander Rhodes and Jean Lambert, May 13, 1862. Alex
Rhodes, engaged Nov. 4,
’61, still in service, has received $15. John
Lambert, “
“ “
“
“
nothing …..
Lambert,
“
“ “
“ left
1 May
$24 John
Frank,
“
“ “
“
left April 20
$50 Pachan
[?]
“
Dec 15, “
left April 20 Pullan
“
“ “
“
“
“
“ Delron
“
Feb 1, “
“ March 25 Carpentier
[same as above] Porte
[same] Poste
[same] Royer
[same] Bartian
/ Bartrain [same[ 2
or 3 others, names not … [same[ Enuette
“
Dec 1, “
left May 1 Joseph
[same as above] Emile
“
Feb 1, “
left March 25 Reported
by W. L. Hirst |
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86.
Philad’a,
May 14, 1862 Sam’l
Eakins, Esq. Philadelphia Sir, I
am authorized by Commodore Joseph Smith, Chief of Bureau of Yards &
Docks, to engage your services as superintendent of the Submarine
Propeller now at the Navy Yard Phil’a, at a salary of $1500 per year
payable monthly at during the pleasure of the government, on your taking
the oath of allegiance prescribed by law. You
will signify to Commodore Smith your acceptance, and report to him for
instructions without delay.
Respectfully, W.
L. Hirst |
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88. Rec’d
15 May Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Yards & Docks Sir, I
have received a communication from Mr. Hirst to the effect that he is
authorized to engage my services as Superintendent of the sub-marine
propeller now at the Navy Yard Philadelphia at a salary of $1500 per year
payable monthly during the pleasure of the Government, on my taking the
oath of allegiance prescribed by law. I
have the pleasure of accepting herewith said appointment, and of enclosing
to you the oath of allegiance duly signed and sworn. Awaiting
your instructions,
I
remain Very
respectfully Your
obedient servant, Samuel
Eakins |
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93. Philadelphia May
17th 1862 Honorable
Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Sir, I
do not wish to make accrimination on the past, nor on the tribulations
that I have experienced. I am devoted to the Government as much as ever,
but my correspondence with your Department having always been direct,
I have given the right to no one to make arrangements for me, not more to
Mr Hirst than to any other. On
account of difficulties that arose between the contractor and myself, I
have been discharged (for the French character this is a
humiliation). The contract was broken as has been announced to me.
Accordingly there is no more engineer nor contractor. But the rights of
the inventor are still in question, and in respect to that I depend
entirely on the equity of the Government. But things must pass direct with
me. If you think my services of use for the Government, please make your
conditions. I think they will be just enough to be accepted by me. Allow
me only to recall to you, that 20 men have been at my
expense from January 1st till April 15th, and as I
have received only 21 days pay (from Dec. 10th till 31st)
fro 17 men, I have spent a great deal of my own money. For this affair I
have worked more for the glory than for money. My nature is not that of
contractors.
I
have the honor to be Respectfully, Your
obedient servant, DeVilleroi |
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92. Bureau
of Yards and Docks May
19, 1862 M.
DeVilleroi Phila’d’a I
have received your letter of the 17th inst., and in reply would
state that all my communications have been addressed to you direct,
passing only in one or two instances through the hands of Mr. Hirst. I
called upon you to complete the boat on Government account, agreeing to
pay you and your crew from the date of suspension of your pay on the 1st
of January last, but you declined to receive or take any notice of the
Bureau’s communication. The
Government therefore was compelled to make other arrangements for
completing the boat, and to engage a commander to take charge of and
operate her. I
had always considered you as a party to the contract, although you did not
sign it. Your quarrel with the contractor should not interfere with your
duty to the Government. I
can only regret the course you have seen proper to pursue. Some of the men
whom you have engaged will be paid by the Government. The
Department has no further propositions to offer.
Respectfully, Your
ob’d Serv’t Joseph
Smith |
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107. Rec’d
5 June Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Docks & Yards Sir, By
order of yourself communicated to me by Wm. L. Hirst, Esq., I assumed charge
of the submarine propeller lying at the Navy Yard Philadelphia and reported
to yourself for duty on 14th ult. I have since been diligently
engaged in the duty assigned me and I now report to this date May 31st. 1st
The absence of all the air tubes and couplings necessary for connections
with the air pumps and air chambers of the boat, as well as pipes and
couplings belonging [to] the apparatus for distributing the air through the
boat, all of which had evidently at one time been in place but could not now
be found. These have all been replaced and the proper examinations made to
ascertain the completeness of the other fittings. These experimentations
disclosed a number of leaks and an endeavor was made for three days to make
the repairs at the Navy Yard. During this time so many leaks were discovered
from the air chambers around the flanges, bulkheads, and manholes as to make
the return of the boat to the yard of builders (Neafie & Levy) a
necessity. 2nd
The want of a look out place has been supplied. For this it was [necessary]
to take of[f] the upper covering of entrance to the boat and prepare
patterns and castings and this the workmen are now putting in place. The
covering of the entrance to the diver’s room has been altered and refitted
and is now reliable. An alteration has also been made to the door of exit
for the diver that will improve it and I hope may be entirely efficient and
sure in its closing. 3rd
The arrangement for discharge of ballast was very defective. The lever
handles being entirely too short as well as being hid away among pipes for
filling and discharging the water from the tanks. New levers have been made
for these and they are placed in such position as to be immediately
available and sure in operation. A
water pressure gauge and level have been placed in position upon the boat,
water and vents (cocks) inserted in the tanks, which will insure there [sic]
filling. The paddles have been overhauled and made sure of being in good
working order. I have also repainted the
outside and a portion of the inside of the boat and some minor
alterations have been made of the internal arrangement making the parts
easier to access by the crew for working and adding to the efficiency of the
boat.
Very
respectfully, Samuel
Eakins |
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117. Bureau
of Yards & Docks June
5th 1862 Hirst,
Wm L. Your
letter of the 4th inst. with enclosures has been received. You
will use your own discretion as to paying the orders of absentees. Having
receipted for the amount of their services, it remains for you to settle
with the crew of the Propeller. The Bureau always requires the receipt of
the party to whom it is indebted, and payment is made to the agent
authorized to receive the money when he produces the receipt of the
principal. I
enclose bills approved for the amount due for the past month, including
the charge for your own services, which is satisfactory, as it embraces
any future requirements which may be made on you. I propose to put the
crew of the Propeller on the roles of the Paymaster of the Yard, and the
men under regulations from the 1st instant. After
you shall have seen M. De Villeroi, you will let me know what he says, and
how he seems disposed for service. I
presume from Mr Eakins’ report the vessel is now ready excepting the
application of supplying her with air.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith |
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118. Rec’d
9th June Philadelphia June
7th 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith In
your last letter of May 19th you announce to me that a new
commander is to superintend the operations of the propeller and that my
men will be paid. For this letter I thank you, but it is necessary that we
should understand each other. In
granting 16 dollars a month for the board of my men, namely $3.39 a week,
the Department has well understood to make a bargain with me, to avoid the
embarrassment of the difference in price, the mean sum of $3.69. Thus the
most simple manner to regulate this part of the account, that I have
either paid or given security for, is to deposit the whole sum due from
January first for board of the 20 men, whose petition I have approved. I
will settle the accounts for board due to others as well as to me. The
orders will be paid by your agent and the remainder will repay me for what
I have advanced. The receipts will prove it. The
payment for the 21 days of December which I received in May only
(see my receipt) I have kept to repay myself partly for the money that I
have advanced for board and cash during four months, and for some even
more. I will have to pay the balance of their accounts of the 21 days. My
written orders with the sums that they have received will be equally
closed by your agent. Thus all will be settled without misreckoning and
confusion. Why complicate such simple things? As to the month of November
all has been settled in time with the four men according to their own
conditions. They have nothing to claim. I will give this note also to your
agent to avoid all false claims created by malevolence. As
the Government does not admit my services, I think there will be no
difficulty in returning to me the sealed packet that I have deposited with
Mr Hirst, and which was not to be opened but in case of
my death in the service of the
Government.
I
have the honor to be, Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, De
Villeroi |
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119. Bureau
of Yards & Docks June
9th 1862 De
Villeroi, M. Your
letter of the 7th inst. has been received. When
the Department decided to take the boat and pay the builders, it notified
you that your services were required and you were directed to go on and
complete the boat. You were also informed that your pay as well as that of
your crew would be allowed from the date of it suspension. You thought
proper not to notice the letters—the crew of the vessel have been paid
according to agreement. As
you have become responsible for the board of the crew, you must look to
them and to Mr Hirst to be reimbursed. The Department made no engagement
to pay for subsistence—the bargain was a stated sum in full for pay and
subsistence In
not complying with its requirements the Department considers that you have
been derelict to your engagements according to the stipulations of the
contract to which you were a party, and feels justified in employing the
invention without your aid.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith |
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120. Philadelphia June
9th 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Docks Your
communication [?], with pay bills enclosed was duly rec’d. I enclose the
receipts of the [?] crew. I
consider it best that the absentees themselves [? ?] the receipts, as the
[?] are given/gain when the [?] was [?]. I enclose the receipt of Chr.
Dittman who came from New York and of D. Carpenter of Allegand who is out
at Beth___. The two in the army have been written to, at Harpers Ferry,
where I learn they are, with a formal receipt for their separation. The
boat was submerged three times on Saturday—the last time for 20 minutes,
the others 15 minutes. Mr Eakins was perfectly satisfied she is a success.
He detects some small matters to be corrected, which will take 2 or 3
days. He wishes to make to make her perfect. I have great confidence in
him. M.
De Villeroi has not made his appearance. His men, I learn, have [prospects?]
out for him. I have given up all hopes of seeing him, and have settled
nearly all the boat bills on the [?] I could collect. I
am glad you have placed the men on the [?] May Roll. It will improve the
discipline of the crew. I think Mr Eakins ought to be authorized to enlist
a full crew, as room [?] on the boat is [?]. I have the most …ment
confidence in her success and value to the Government.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Wm
Hirst |
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121. Bureau
of Docks & Yards June
13th 1862 Hirst,
Wm L. The
submarine propeller being reported ready for service please turn her over
to the Commandant of the Navy Yard, to whom I have written directing that
she be sent to Fortress Monroe by the first conveyance. The
crew of the vessel will be borne on the rolls of the Paymaster of the
Yard, and hereafter be paid by him.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith P.S. The
Secretary of the Navy requests that you will make such arrangements with
the master of the boat as will enable him to use her as proposed. |
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122. Telegram Bureau
of Yards and Docks Hirst,
William L. A
vessel was ordered on Saturday to go from Hampton Roads to Philadelphia to
tow the Propeller. Let her be dispatched. Com’d Pendergrast has been
ordered to send her forward immediately, and to fill the crew at
Philadelphia or at Hampton Roads from the vessels. Joseph
Smith |
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123. Bureau
of Docks & Yards June
16th 1862 Hirst,
William L. I
telegraphed you today that a steamer had been ordered from Hampton Roads
to tow the Sub-marine Propeller from I
directed Comm’d Pendergrast to fill up the crew in
Does
Mr. Thomas intend to go with the vessel? Very
respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith |
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124.
I
would urge as the safest plan that you authorize the navy ag[en]t of this
city to charter a small tug boat to tow the vessel from this place to her
destination via Balto [sic: Baltimore]. It will not do to tow her at sea
without preparation. I will join the Expedition. Telegraph me your
decision. Please authorize the Navy Agent to pay me before I leave. Martin
Thomas 65 Collect 195 |
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125.
Bureau
of Yards & Docks Martin
Thomas I
direct Com[man]d[an]t to hire a tug to take Propeller to Fortress Monroe
on the best terms he can immediately. The
expense of sending a steamer from Hampton Roads is useless. Obstacles
seem to present at every step. Payment will be considered in due time. Jos
Smith |
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126a. Telegram United
States Military Telegraph I
have bills to pay on account and the cost for lead[,] alterations[,]
battery to about two thousand (2000) dollars before I can leave. Will you
authorize Hirst to draw for the amount of on account of contract[?] please
answer. Martin
Thomas 126b. Telegram United
States Military Telegraph Shall
we go via tug Baltimore. In haste. Martin
Thomas |
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127. Telegram Bureau
of Yards & Docks June
17th 1862 Thomas
Martin Philadelphia I
will approve and forward bills by tomorrow’s mail for a payment of two
thousand dollars provided the boat is not detained therefore. Office
closed for this day. Joseph
Smith |
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128. Bureau
of Yards & Docks 18
June 1862 Wm
L. Hirst Philadelphia I
enclose herewith a bill in favor of Martin Thomas approved for $2000 on
account of his contract for the Submarine Propeller. The first payment of
$6000 was made as an advance to Neafie & Levy, the builders, in order
to secure the boat and put her in possession of the Government at the
instance of the contractor. I
presume the boat has been dispatched to Hampton Roads; if not the whole
enterprise might as well be abandoned. The balance of the contract money
will be paid after the boat arrives at her place of destination and shall
prove satisfactory--Mr Thomas offered to deliver her there. The Commandant
of the Navy Yard will direct that she be reported to Flag Officer
Goldsborough.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith |
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129. Telegram Bureau
of Yards & Docs 18
June 1862 Hirst,
Wm L., Esq. Philadelphia I
have approved bills and forwarded by mail to you for two thousand dollars
favor of contractor, provided the boat is off. I write by mail. Joseph
Smith |
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130. Rec’d
19 June Phil’a 18
June 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Yards & Docks Your
telegram is duly received. I
send herewith the bond and oath of Mr Eakins [&] [Morris S.]
Wickenham, the …, is a gentleman of wealth and standing. I
know you are to send an order for $2000. I should greatly prefer that you
should pay the entire balance, in accordance with the letter of the
contract. All the advice I have given, and the step I am about taking with
Mr Eakin, depend upon the fact that the Government To
have the tug sent . . . [garbled, written on back of envelope] Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith I
do solemnly swear to keep secret the mode of using the de Villeroi
Submarine-Propeller, the method of supplying the atmosphere for its crew,
and every thing appertaining to said invention to be communicated to me
under bond and oath; and not to divulge the same or anything relating
thereto to any person or persons whatsoever, and not to employ or make use
of the same or any application or modifications thereof, except under the
express orders of by the consent of the Government of the United States. Sam’l
Eakins Sworn
and subscribed before me this Eighteenth day of June A.D. 1862 W.
W. Dougherty |
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131. Philad’a
June 18, 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith Chief
of Bureau of Yards & Docks The
submarine boat would have left here early this morning but the Navy
Ag[en]t was unable to procure a tug till to day and then she was not able
to start till tomorrow morning. We will leave as early as she can be got
off, say between 9 and 11 o’clock. I
requested Mr Hirst to ask you to write me to the care of Capt. Chas M.
Thomas, Quarter Master, U.S. Army, Fortress Monroe, giving me
transportation for myself and Mr Moore to go with the boat. I think it
would be well for us to have the tug to go with us from the Fortress to
our place of destination, but … to judge of that. Your
very respectful & obedient servant, Martin
Thomas |
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132. Telegram Bureau
of Yards & Docs 19
June 1862 Hirst,
Wm L. Philadelphia Your
letter of the 18th inst with its enclosures has been received. I
rejoice to hear that the Propeller will leave for Hampton Roads today. As
the Department has been from the first very much governed by your advice
and full faith in the success of this enterprise, it will not fail to
discharge its obligations in the matter. The final payment on the contract
has been withheld till a report on the completeness of the boat shall have
been received. I do not presume the contractor doubts the good faith of
the Government. Instructions
have been given to Flag Officer Goldsborough to employ the Propeller in
such submarine work as the service, in his judgment, shall require. Assistant
Secretary Fox is now [going to] Hampton Roads, and will be there as [soon
as ] the Propeller arrives if she leaves in the morning. [Letter
is torn at the lower right corner] Flag
Officer Goldsborough … has discretion to retain the tug … with the
propeller, or employ … may already have to attend … I have written to
Mr Thomas … your request. Very
Respectfully, Joseph
Smith |
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133. Bureau
of Yards & Docks June
19th 1862 Thomas
Martin Care
of Capt. Charles W. Thomas Fortress
Your
letter of the 18th inst has been received. You
will call on Comm. Goldsborough who will afford you and Mr. Moore a
passage in the tug employed with the propeller. He has discretion to hire
the tug which is sent with the propeller or employ one he may now have in
service.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Jos. Smith |
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135. In
going to the Navy Yard this morning I ascertained that[:] The
order for the tug owned by Mr Nathman having been countermanded at an
early hour yesterday [according?] by Com. Pendergrast (on account of the
arrival of the Satellite to tow her by the outside passage) on
representation by Messrs Eakins and Thomas that it would only be incurring
great risk, but that in their judgment it would be positively unsafe to
transport her except through the Canal. Com. Pendergrast immediately sent
orders to the Navy Agent to re-engage the tug. Mr Thomas also sent Mr
Moore for the same purpose. After the loss of some time he succeeded in
finding Mr Nathman, who positively declined to tow her down as he had
contracted to do, not on account of the countermand, but because he said
it would injure his tug. When asked by Mr Moore for the grounds for such
opinion, he stated to him that Mr … had told him that “he could not
tow that thing down to Fortress Monroe without great risk on injuring his
boat”—which is a new little steam yacht just built by Neafie &
Levy. I should here state that notwithstanding the competitive price of
$600, which it had been agreed to pay him, he had previously refused to
take down the crew without the payment of $100 additional, making $700 for
the trip. Mr Thomas after a number of unsuccessful efforts (the delay
incurred in which was unfortunate) finally succeeded in engaging the
“Fred Kopp,” Captain Ma[l]loy [?] for $400 for taking propeller and
crew—a saving of $300. Capt. Mal[l]oy also offered his services to act
as a tender if required at the very moderate rate of $45 per day. He
arrived at the yard before I left to report himself, but had to send his
tug to take on provisions, which would take about one hour. I have since
been informed that he is off with the propeller and crew all well. Friday
morning June 20 Guy
Bryan Schott I
enclose extract from an … … on “Submarine Navigation” from
today’s North American, which is of interest as showing that experiments
in sub-marine operations are exciting attention elsewhere. |
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136. Rec’d
21 June Philad
June 20, 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith Of
the Navy Dear
Sir, You
have been apprized of the submarine boat having left this place. I
go tomorrow morning via Bal[t]imore to reach Fortress Monroe in advance,
so all arrangements can be made for her proceeding to any point
designated, without delay. I have every confidence in her. As I will not
probably have much time to write from that point after her arrival I
desire to ask you if on her arrival and she is all perfect, you will make
the draft for the balance say six thousand dollars to Wm L. Hirst, Atty he
will disburse it to the proper parties. Hoping that next you hear of me will be very satisfactory. … Martin
Thomas |
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134. Bureau
of Docks & Yards 21
June 1862 Eakin,
Samuel Comd’g
Sub-marine Propeller Care
of Flag-Officer Goldsborough You
are placed in command of the Sub-marine Propeller. It is a trust of
considerable importance, requiring the exercise of prudence, skill and
good judgment on your part. So soon as you have fully tested the boat you
will report to the Secretary of the Navy her description—the length,
breadth, depth, amount of ballast, what apparatus you have on and in her
of all kinds—how she moves submerged, and at what speed, how she steers,
how long it takes to depress her in [fine both?] and of water, and how
long to elevate her—how far and with what distinctness an object can be
seen through the glass globe on the top of the boat—how the divers
operate outside the boat at a depth of forty feet, and how well they are
supplied with air from the boat and generally her completeness for service
and the objects for which she was designed.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith P.S. You
will of course act under the orders of Flag Officer Goldsborough. J.S. |
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137. Bureau
of Yards & Docks 21
June 1862 Thomas
Martin Care
of Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough Hampton
Roads, Va. I
have received your letter of the 20th inst. Comm.
Goldsborough has been directed to allow you to accompany the Propeller. So
soon as she has been tried in regard to her movements, the facility with
which she may be elevated and depressed, how the divers act and are
supplied with air from the boat, as well as upon the other points proposed
in the contract, and the Superintendent certifies that they are
satisfactory, the balance of the contract money will be paid. I have
instructed Mr Eakin to report accordingly.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith |
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Refer to Official Records for Correspondence of 21 June to 1 July 1862 |
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138. Philadelphia August
8, 1862 Honorable
Gideon Welles Secretary
of the Navy Sir, In
answer to your letter of July, in which you tell me that I am no longer in
the service of the Government since April 19th because on that
date I had refused the service, allow me, Sir, to remark that it in all my
correspondence I have always conformed strictly to the instructions of the
Department, perhaps too much so, as this was the origin of my disgrace. I
have always thought to be officer of the Government to direct the
submarine boat, and not the man, the servant
of a contractor, that had neither credit nor good will, who from
unqualifiable motives has caused the expedition against the Merrimac before
and after the disastrous affair at Hampton Roads to be missed. But
as all my recriminations have failed before opposed influence, there is
nothing left to me, but to suffer your decision, begging you to send the
pay for the four months: January, February, March, and April [… evident
gap] has not fulfilled his duty I am obliged to refer to your authority. How
is it that the last of my sailors has been paid and that I have not yet
received anything, not only the money I have advanced for my 20 men, but
also my personal share from December 31st till May 19th,
this being the date when the letter from the Secretary announced me that,
not being able to agree with the contractor, the Department thought proper
to appoint some one to replace me. For
every country in the world it is customary to pay the person employed,
when discharged, and where one takes possession of his work he is
indemnified. Does the American Government make an exception to this
universal rule? I think not, and for such faults bad agents must be
blamed.
Expecting
your answer I am Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, De
Villeroi P.S. I have just finished a work of the greatest importance for the Navy, for which so many millions are spent without any positive results |
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139. Washington August
8th 1862 Hon.
Gideon Welles Secretary
of the Navy In
obedience to your orders I have the honor to make the following report
upon the submarine boat “Alligator,” of which I am in charge, founded
upon personal examination and experiment with her. This
submarine boat, as I understand, was to have possessed the following
properties: 1st
Facilities of immersion and emersion. 2nd
Self propulsion above and below water. 3rd
Capability of remaining with her crew a long time under water, by
purifying the air contained in her, so as to admit of its being inhaled
repeatedly so. 4th
To be able to operate under water, and to permit a person to pass in and
out at pleasure. Most
of these properties she does not possess to a practical degree, and in all
else is deficient. 1st
Facilities of immersion and emulsion. Her
apparatus for sinking and rising is good, and efficient for the purpose.
She is incapable however of being suspended in the water, but must sink
when immersed to the bottom; therefore she could only operate in such
depth of water, that a person standing upon her could reach the vessel
above him. 2nd
Self propulsion above and below water. She
is in this particular very defective, being totally incapable of stemming
an ordinary tide of the velocity of 1˝knots, and she is from her slow
rate of speed and length difficult to manage with any exactness with the
helm. Her
ventilation is bad, even above water with the man-hole open. On one
occasion after her crew had been in her an hour two of them became so
exhausted as to be lifted from the inside, and the remaining men all so
much prostrated, as to be obliged to leave the inside, and to get in boats
that were near. She has never been tried, but in this respect it is hardly
probable she could do any better than in this instance. 3rd
Capability of remaining under water. She
has no means of remaining under water. She has no means known to me of
purifying and replenishing the exhaled air other than forcing it through
lime water. This, though it would absorb much of the carbonic acid, would
be of but partial value with her crew of twenty two persons. It would not
be safe to remain more than an hour under the surface. 4th
To be able to operate under water. I
cannot see that this submarine boat in its present state could be of any
use in this particular. The means proposed by the inventor may be very
pretty in theory, but in practice, they would not in my opinion be at all
applicable. By
means of an air chamber, which is filled with compressed air, a person can
get in and out of her. But there are no means of supplying that person
with air, other than a common tube connecting with the mouth. It is
extremely improbable that any person could be found, who with only this
slight means of obtaining air, would remain any time under water. Such a
person would be obliged to keep one hand upon his nostrils, and would have
to be loaded [?] as to remain below the surface, a position that would
admit of little exertion upon his part. To
sum up the whole, I consider that this vessel has such inherent defects as
to preclude of her use, as her name indicates, for submarine purposes. If
her speed was greatly increased, her steering apparatus improved, and she
[was ___?] a much better ventilation, she might be made use of to operate
above the surface. The manner in which she could be brought in play in
this particular is very limited, confined to approaching an enemy at
night, and liable in this respect to be easily frustrated by a boat
pulling near the vessel to be attacked. It
seems to me therefore under all the circumstances of doubtful expediency
to proceed any further in improvements upon her.
I
have the honor to be Very
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Thomas
Selfridge Lieut.
Comd’g Sub. Boat “Alligator” From
these reports I conclude that the submarine boat is a failure. [signature
illegible] |
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140. Rec’d
Oct 13, 1862 Philadelphia October
9, 1862 Commodore
Joseph Smith Sir, After
what has happened between the Navy Department and myself, I feel you have
not been more fortunate in your choice of your agents than in that of your
contractor. I have kept silent for a long time, but every thing has an
end. In
my demand, which was addressed to the President and the Secretary, my 20
en have received every thing that was due to them, but instead of giving
me the charge to regulate their accounts, to receive their money, Mr Hirst
as Government agent was charged with it. Consequently
in your letter of June 9th you advise me to address to this
agent for the claims that I might have on the payment of the men
respecting the money I had advanced and for board charged to me from
January till May (four months). I have sent in time my written account to
Mr Hirst. He has neither paid me anything nor sent me a positive answer on
this subject. As this agent [missing page “B”] … …
direct to me. I
say direct because from the money sent for the payment of my 20 men
for the five months, I have not yet been able to obtain the sum which I
have advanced in cash and for their board during this time, although I
have sent my written bills and claims repeatedly to Mr Hirst.
I
have the honor to be Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, De
Villeroi 1325 Pine Street |
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141. Bureau
of Yards & Docs 13
October 1862 De
Villeroi, Brutus Philadelphia,
Pa. Your
letter of the 9th instant is received and in reply I have to
say that your matter is with the Secretary of the Navy, and it is to your
own dereliction of duty or obstinacy in not resuming your duty when called
upon to take charge of the submarine boat enterprise and the payment and
selection of the crew, that you must attribute all the short comings of
which you complain. I
presume the Department holds in abeyance the decision whether or not you
are entitled to any further compensation that that you have already
received.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Joseph
Smith |
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Private Letter Philadelphia, October 14, 1862 The benevolence which you have manifested towards me
relative to adapting my underwater navigation system makes it my duty to
inform you of what happened in this regard. Your devoted servant To Commodore Dupont |
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142. Philadelphia February
27th 1863 Admiral
Joseph Smith Dear
Sir, Yours
of the 26th came to hand this morning and I was much astonished
and grieved at the tone of it. I thought you understood all the conditions
and the contract for the boat. It was contrived between Capt. Davis and
Mr. Hirst to stand as originally made; six thousand dollars to be paid on
account, balance when tested. Since then you have paid $2000 more on
account which has all and a great deal more been expended. You will not
forget that I was always in doubt as to her speed by the oars and I told
you so. However she was sent to James River; I followed as a volunteer at
my own expense; Capt. J. Rodgers would not risk our going up to remove the
obstructions but ordered her to Fortress Monroe, from whence she was
ordered to
Awaiting
your reply I remain, Very
respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Martin
Thomas Per
Guy Bryan Schott The
above was written at the dictation of Mr. Martin Thomas, himself too ill
to write. Very
respectfully, Guy Bryan Schott |
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143. Rec’d
March 7, 1863 March
5th 1863 Admiral
Joseph Smith Bureau
of Yards & Docks Dear
Sir, Permit
me on the part of Mr. Thomas to address you a few lines in relation to what
we consider a misapprehension as to what Mr. Eakins has stated with regard to
Submarine Boat. Mr. Thomas, who has been long seriously ill, his condition
aggravated by his physical incapacity to attend to the matter himself, and
see you in person, rallied on the flattering representations of Mr. Eakins as
to the perfection which he had attained in his arrangements, and the speed
of the new propeller, which rendered her all he desired. But on receipt of
your recent letter he has declined as rapidly and is unable to write. Mr.
Eakins left yesterday for Washington, having
gone on to explain position of matters there. The writer from two long
conversations with him [knows] that a misunderstanding exists, easily
explained. Mr. Eakins is a man of action and not of words.
He is not a diplomatist, but a cool headed, energetic, brave man yet
destitute of rashness, who wishes to do what he understands intelligently
and with adequate preparation and foresight, so as to insure success.
He seems to have felt keenly, after the boat was completed to his
satisfaction, the want of a crew and several obstacles encountered; and to
have been suffered at being expedited to [jump?] in the Boat without
adequate notice, with such men as would volunteer from the rough laborers of
the yard, with orders to submerge her when the men who were never in her
before absolutely refused to be submerged, but to allow him to sink her an
inch lower beneath the surface, and were clamorous in demands for extra pay
for their service in merely exhibiting her speed; to which he had no
authority to accede. He felt naturally irritated when asked, as he surfaced,
if he was ready to start off at once on a hazardous enterprise, without men
somewhat practiced on whom he could rely, to attempt an operation against Mr.
Eakins informs me that he made the test of the boat's speed under very
unfavorable circumstances with just such men; and subsequently, by accident,
obtained a crew of six sailors from a boat near (American tars are afraid of
nothing in the water) with whom he submerged her and remained under more
than an hour to the satisfaction of Prof. Horsford. He promises, even
without a crew, if he is permitted to take some of the intelligent mechanics
of the yard, who would be willing and anxious to assist in the experiment
(especially if allowed to exercise her once or twice first) to give a
satisfactory test of the boat in the presence of the Secretary himself,
notwithstanding that he regards the arm of the river where she lies very
inauspicious with its tortuous channel and mud banks. In
answer to Mr. Fox’s interrogations if he had not smarted under a sense of
injustice and had expressed himself more diplomatically, his answer would
have been thus: “I believe that Mr. de Villeroi contemplated as one
mode of operating, employing divers to go out of the bottom of the
boat, in which a compartment is expressly constructed, and had an Italian
trained to do so, who did it before the Board of Naval Officers (which diver
has since served the Gov’t faithfully in another capacity, having had a
leg shot off at the capture of New Orleans). I was not witness to those
experiments and have had no means to train divers, being still without even
a crew. But this was not proposed as the only means or even the
best, but simply one mode of operating.
I propose another, by getting under a vessel’s quarter and
working through the man-hole above. I not only avoid the risk of accident to
the diver, and work with more economy to the Gov’t, dispensing with them
and reducing, with my new propeller, the crew from twenty to twelve
men, but I propose to work myself, feeling more secure of success. The mode
of accomplishing the object can be of no consequence if the result is
gained; indeed the whole manner of operating should be left to the
Superintendent’s discretion, who knows more about the boat and submarine
operations than any not initiated. I am willing to undertake anything which
in my judgment I can perform with the boat, but must have reliable men, who
require no training to be confident of themselves and
the boat, and destitute of fear.” This
as far as I can understand, Admiral, is the gist of Mr. Eakins reasoning.
Do you not think on calm reflection that he is right? And that it would be
unjust to condemn the boat as a failure because he proposed a different mode
of employing her than one of the modes illustrated by Mr. de
Villeroi's experiments? We feel that we can leave the matter to your own
sense of justice. We
have supplied the Gov’t in place of Mr. de Villeroi, who was old and
decrepit, with an energetic, brave, cool-headed, practical man: we have
given you in place of a savant of unquestionable scientific attainment but
whose knowledge was partially theoretical, a practical sub-marinist
whose experience at Sebastopol is enviable. All we ask is simple justice in
the payment of the amount provided by the contract (which was continued in
force by Admiral Davis under the authority of the Department) to be paid on
completion of the Boat, and that you will give Mr. Eakins a crew and employ
him in some suitable service which he is able and willing to perform, if the
Gov’t will only provide him adequate means and preparation.
Very
respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Guy
Bryan Schott for
Martin Thomas and the other parties with interest |
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144. Rec’d
March 20, 1863 Admiral
Joseph Smith Sir, I
have just had an interview with Mr. Eakins who arrived this morning. A
telegraph addressed to him (care of Martin Thomas) remained several days
unopened. Finally I suggested that it might relate to [the] Submarine Boat,
and as we did not know his present whereabouts, it was rather due to him
than objectionable to ascertain its contents. Finding it was from the
Department, I enclosed it to his old address “Exchange Hotel, I
find we erred in inferring that (from your letter) he might have stated, the
Boat could not be propelled any considerable distance under the water, nor
divers employed, etc. He states explicitly that there is not
a shadow of doubt of his ability
to propel her under the surface almost
as rapidly as over it, and that he so informed
Mr Fox; also of his ability to come up under a vessel. But that on being
asked if he could (himself) come out of [the] man-hole of [the] diver’s
compartment and operate, he bluntly answered “no” on which he was
abruptly discharged, without explaining one of his proposed modes of
operating. The
Department seems to have lost sight of the fact that Mr Eakins took an oath
not to divulge anything relating to the Boat. When called upon before to
propose a mode, he felt at liberty to suggest that of working through the
man-hole above, since it had been suggested by Left.
Selfridge. Another which he stated vaguely to Operator of Military Telegraph
who said he should inform Mr Fox of it (to which he is probably indebted for
your Telegraph) he seems to have wished to keep secret, as it was an idea of
his own, and because he thought, as we do, that the manner of operating was
of no importance so that he succeeded, and that the whole plan of operating
would vary according to circumstances should be left to his discretion. He
will communicate it in person, as far as necessary to prove to you its
feasibility. I believe it properly practicable, and as Mr Eakins tells me
unhesitatingly that he is willing to go to Savannah or Charleston or
wherever ordered to try an operation; and that he can get a crew in a short
time from the tars of the Navy Yard, who would require little practice (as
the important thing is to submerge them once, when they
lose all fear). Allow me to express the hope, Admiral, that you will afford
him the opportunity.
Respectfully, Your
Obedient Servant, Guy
Bryan Schott 1411
No. |
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145. US
Str. Sumpter New
York, April 9th 63 Sir, I
have the honor to report that on the 1st inst in obedience to
an order from Act. Rear Admiral S. P. Lee I took the Submarine Battery Alligator
in tow and resumed my passage to my port of destination Port Royal, in
accordance with your order of Feb 18th 63. On the way down the
Bay the engine gave out and we were seven [?] hour and a half repairing
it[.] When I rounded Cape Henry the wind was fresh from WNW. Found the
water very smooth under the beach and kept in 10 and 12 fathom water. At
˝ past 9 p.m. made Cape Hatteras light bearing about SW. At 1.30 a.m. 2nd
[April] Cape Hatteras light bore NW by W, distant in my judgement about 15
miles. Kept the ship to S’d [southward] until 3 a.m., finding the
temperature of the water had risen to 68. Hauled up to SW by W at 6. The
wind increased from WSW and the water still at 68. Steered WSW making but
little headway. At 8 a.m. kept away to S’d and set fore and aft sails.
At noon got an observation and found lat. 34.43 long. 75.20, water still
at 68. The wind by this time had increased to a very heavy gale from S’d
and west’d and a very heavy sea running[,] the ship laboring very
heavily but the Alligator towing very well astern. From 2 to 4 p.m. the
wind rapidly increased in force, the sea running higher causing the ship
to plunge heavily and labor hard. At 3.30 the ship was plunging under to
the foremast; the weight of water she shipped broke the windlass purchase
in fragments from the paul [sic: pawl] bitt. Carried away the galley
funnel, washed the battens and tarpaulins from the hatches, and flooded
the berth deck and hold with water. At 3.40 p.m. finding it impossible to
keep her head to with safety, and the engine giving out partially, I was
compelled to bear up and … shortly afterwards passed a propeller Str.
painted lead color, English
bult, showing U.S. ensign with men and officers in uniform. Showed our
number but received no answer in return. At 5 p.m. the wind still
increasing and the Alligator towing hard, parted the port hawser. Hauled
it in and payed out full scope of stb’d hawser. At 5.30 the wind had
increased to a furious gale from SW, the sea running very high and
breaking heavily. Every moment to … the ship the engine was kept running
at full speed. All thought a portion of it was out of order, and all the
storm canvas she would bear was set to keep her ahead of the sea. The
Alligator was steering wildly and threatening to snap the hawser and it
being evident we would soon lose her I called a council of all the
officers including Act. Master Eagen [sic: Eakins], her Commander. When it
was universally concluded that to keep her longer would greatly endanger
the ship and as we had all we could do to save the vessel alone I was
compelled reluctantly to give the order to cut her adrift. All expressed a
desire to save her if possible but the danger to the vessel being so
imminent having then over 2 feet of water in the hold and the ship
straining badly, I gave the order to cut at 6 p.m. and the ship instantly
sprang ahead and cleared a very high and heavy sea that partly broke over
her stern. The engine needed some repairing at this critical time but it
was impossible to stop. At midnight the weather moderated a little. At
3a.m. 3rd [April] the wind hauled to the west’d and
moderated. At 10 a.m. stopped the engine to repair it and to clean the
pumps. At 2 the engineer reported he had done all he could to it under the
circumstances. Cape Henry being the nearest point and being in my judgment
only 50 miles distant, I deemed it prudent to put in there. At 6 o’clock
made the land to S’d of Cape Henry, the wind at that time having shifted
to N’d and E’d and freshening up I ran in to 10 fathom water and
seeing nothing by which I could recognize the land I hauled her off shore
until 10, deepening the water to 20 fathoms. I then hauled in shore and
shoaled the water to 12 fathoms. At 1 a.m. 4th [April] and then
hauled off shore again the wind commenced freshening from N’d and E’d.
At 5 a.m. increased to a gale of wind; ship lying under reefed spanker and
fore spencer. Laboring heavily and making a great deal of water. At 10
a.m. blowing a tremendous gale. Carried away spanker boom but managed to
save the sail. Soon after lost the 2nd cutter. At 2p.m.
commenced blowing a perfect tornado. Shipped a very heavy sea, washing the
dingey inboard from the davits and landing it on the opposite side of the
ship. Broke in the wardroom skylight and washed it off. Carried berth deck
skylight overboard and washed the bulwarks off fore and aft. Immediately
put the helm up and put the vessel before it. Running the engine at full
speed. Soon after shipped another heavy sea, which washed overboard Act.
Ensign and Sailing master R. Bentson and Fred’k Hay o.Lea. For some 3 or
4 hours it blew a tremendous tornado with a heavy fall of snow so thick we
could not see a ships length. Found the wind had hauled into the NW. At
12m. 5th [April] the wind backed into the west’d and
moderated down t a very heavy gale and very heavy sea running steering
from ESE to SE, wind baffling at west’d making a course most easy for
the vessel. At 7 p.m. Engineer reported the water having gained on him,
his pumps not being able to keep her clear, and supposing the outboard
delivery of the air pump leaked around the outside it being on the port
side at the water line the sea having gone down so I could haul up to the
N’d and setting fore and aft canvas it gave her a list to stb’d which
brought it out of the water. Soon after the pumps cleared the vessel of
water, which led me to believe the principal leak to be about there. Kept
the ship on that tack all night. A nasty sea running and the ship
straining badly. At 8 a.m. 6th [April] made a sail to S’d and
E’d. Spoke her and proved to be Sch[ooner] Manhassett from Port
Royal bound for N. York with main boom, boats, and davits gone. Told her
the condition I was in and asked her to keep company with me, the sea
having one down and the wind canting to the S’w of west. Concluded to
run in towards the land and be governed by the wind in regard to my
movements. Throughout the day all hands busy cleaning up decks, repairing
sails, etc. At 7 all sails set going ahead at full speed but owing to the
feed pipe of the boiler being burst and having to feed with cold water,
could not keep much strain. At midnight wind hauled to WNW. Ran all night
WW until 9 a.m. 7th [April]. At 9.30 water was 69. Seeing tide
ripples indicating edge of the Gulf Stream, tried the water and found it
56 and immediately hauled ship to N’d. At noon found my position to be
lat. 37.38, log. 71.04. Spoke Brig Abbie Watson from Iaguia
le Grande bound to Boston, main boom and gaff gone. During the whole time
my aneroid barometer has not been lower than 30.15 or higher than 30.25.
From 7th had fine weather. On the afternoon of the 8th
took a pilot off Barnegat [New Jersey] and arrived at the anchorage at 2.30 a.m. 9th. Respectfully, Your
obedient servant J.
Winchester A.
Master, Comd’g Hon.
Gideon Welles Secy
Navy, Washington D.C. |
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146.
April
9th 1863 Sir, I
have the honor to inform the Department that I reported to Act’g Master
J. F. Winchester for a passage to Port Royal with the Submarine Steamer Alligator
by order of Act’g Rear Admiral S.P. Lee dated M[ar]ch 29th,
1863 off Newport News, Va. The
Sumpter sailed on the morning of the 1st inst and on the
2nd encountered a heavy gale from the S’d and W’d off
Hatteras, which obliged her to run off to the northward. About 3.40 p.m.
it was reported to me hat the port hawser attached to the Alligator had
parted and at 5.30 p.m. I was informed that the ship was laboring heavily
and that it would be impossible for the other hawser to hold out much
longer—that a council of officers was being held as to the propriety of
letting the Alligator go adrift as she was evidently endangering
the safety of the vessel. I immediately went on deck and seeing the
position of affairs I concurred in the opinion of the other officers of
the ship and the order was given to cut the hawser, which was accordingly
done. I
am Sir Very
Respectfully Your
obedient servant, Sam’l
Eakins Act’g
Master Honorable
Gideon Welles Secretary
of the Navy Washington,
D.C. |
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