Robert Fulton and the SubmarineParsons, William Barclay
History
Robert Fulton and the Submarine
Parsons, William Barclay
Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815; Submarines (Ships)
Therefore being prepared with plunging boats and Bombs submarine let
the business of the boats be to go with cargoes of bombs and let them
loos withe the current into the harbours of Portsmouth, Plymouth,
Torbey or elsewhere, those with their graplings floating under water
could not be perceived Some would hook in the cables, bow or Stern, or
touch in their Passage; many no doubt would miss but Some would hit go
off and destroy the Vessels they touched, one or more Vessels
Destroyed in a Port by such invisible agents would render it to
dangerous to Admit of any Vessel remaining. And thus the enemy may At
all times be attacked in their own Ports—and by a means at once cheap,
Simple And I conceive certain in its operation. Another mode Should be
to go with cargoes of Bombs and Anchor them in the entrance of rivers
So as to cut off or Blockade the commerce 2 or 3 hundred for example
Anchored in the Thames or the channels leading to the Thames would
completely destroy the commerce of that river and Reduce London and
the Cabinet of St. Jameses to any tirms; no Pilot could Steer clear of
Such hidden dangers, no one dare to raise them even if hooked by
graplings as they could not tell the moment they Might touch the
Secret Spring which would cause the explosion and destruction of
everything Around them. No Vessel could Pass without the utmost danger
of running on one of them And her instant destruction, if this measure
Should ever become necessary Some Vessels Will most certainly be
destroyed and their Destruction alarm the whole commerce of the
Thames, by this means the Thames may be blockaded and the trade of
London completely stoped nor can the combined fleets of England
prevent this Kind of attack—And this is Perhaps the most Simple and
certain means of convincing England that Science can put her her in
the Power of France and of compelling her to become a humble Pleader
for the liberty of the Seas She now denies to her Neighbors—I
therefore conceive that it will be good Policy to commence as Soon as
Possible the construction of the Boats and bombs if they can be
finished before the arrival of Peace their effects may be Proved
during this War Should Peace be concluded before they are finished the
experiments can be continued Men can be exersised in the use of the
engines; And it is Probable in a few years England will See it her
best policy never to give france reason to exersise this invention
against her—if England cannot prevent the Blockade of the Thames by
the means of plunging boats and Bombs submarine, of what use will be
her boasted navy, the free Navigation of the Thames nourishes the
immense commerce of London And the commerce of London is the Nerves
and Vitals of the Cabinet of St. Jameses—convince England that you
have the means of Stopping that Source of Riches—And She must Submit
to your terms—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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