148 THE SEA. 



In his tenth invention, the Marquis of Worcester describes " a way from a mile off to 

 dive and fasten a like engine to any ship, so as it may punctually work the same effect, 

 either for time or execution." The details of construction and working are left to the 

 reader's imagination. 



Bishop Wilkins, in a curious work on "Mathematical Magick," published in 1648, 

 describes a possible submarine vessel, or " ark," as he terms it. He says that it " may 

 be effected bsyond all question, because one Cornelius Dreble hath already experimented 

 on it here in England." Of Dreble very little is known; but it is on record that he 

 constructed a subaqueous boat, which he exhibited before James I., which carried twelve 

 rowers and some passengers, and further, that that monarch was so pleased with it that 

 he sent a duplicate as a present to the grand Duke of Muscovy (Russia). The bishop 

 discusses the matter very fully. The boat is, of course, to be watertight, all openings 

 being sealed for the nonce by leather bags, with two sets of fastenings. The oars were 

 to project also through leather bags, giving freedom of motion and yet excluding the 

 water. A serious difficulty the lack of fresh air on board is partially slurred over ; but 

 he considers that the sailors, " by long use and custome," will practically get used to it. 

 The raising or lowering of the vessel is to be accomplished by the lifting or depression 

 of an enormous stone hung to its keel. He considered that the steering would be easier 

 than on the surface, there being no contrary winds or atmospheric disturbances to interfere. 

 The vessel is to be well manned by artisans, and children are to be born in the " ark : " 

 one of the points specially mentioned being their inevitable astonishment when they for 

 the first time behold the light of day at the surface, and are landed on terra jirma! 

 The log is not merely to be written but is to be printed on board. " Among the many 

 conveniences of such a contrivance, it may be of very great advantage against a navy of 

 enemies, who, by this means, may be undermined in the water and blown up." 



Another old writer, Schott, in a rare and curious work, entitled " Mirabilia Mechanica," 

 offers several schemes for submarine vessels, and gives a drawing of one with a paddle- 

 wheel as the propelling power. The wheel, worked by men, was to work in a watertight 

 box in the centre of the vessel, the paddles projecting below the keel. A Frenchman 

 built a vessel of this description at Rotterdam in 1653, and publicly exhibited it. Pepys, 

 in his "Diary," writes, on the 14th of March, 1662: "This afternoon came the German 

 Dr. Knuffler, to discourse with us about his engine to blow up ships. We doubted not 

 the matter of fact it being tried in Cromwell's time but the safety of carrying them 

 in ships ; but he do tell us that when he comes to tell the King his secret (for none but 

 kings successively, and their heirs, must know it) it will appear of no danger at all." 

 We have before described Fulton's submarine boat, the Nautilus, and his torpedo experiments 

 in France and England ; let us now follow him to the New World. 



Fulton arrived in America in December, 1806, and so far from being discouraged by 

 the apathy displayed towards his inventions in Europe, inaugurated fresh experiments, 

 under Government sanction, a certain expenditure being authorised. An amusing account 

 of one of his semi-public exhibitions is given by his biographer:* "In the meantime, 

 anxious to prepossess his countrymen with a good opinion of his project, he invited the 



* C. D. Colden: "Life of Robert Fulton." 



