Among other accidents that have happened in peace times, causing loss of life, are several in the British Navy in vessels of the diving type; the _Farfadet_ and _Lutine_ in the French Navy, due to lost control in diving; also the _Pluviose_, which was run down and cut in two as she was coming to the surface; the _Fulton_, during an experimental cruise, and the F-4, E-2, and F-1 in the American Navy. In war time there have undoubtedly been many submarine vessels and entire crews lost, with none to tell the story of their passing. CHAPTER III EXPERIENCES OF PIONEER INVENTORS OF THE SUBMARINE The experiences of the pioneer inventors of the submarine, if known in detail, would undoubtedly afford many amusing incidents as well as some tragic ones. Some of these have been treated in the previous chapter on the comedy and tragedy of submarine development. Cornelius Debrell must have been either something of a joker or else he was much further advanced in the art of revitalizing the air than are any of our modern scientists. His experiments attracted much attention during the reign of King James the First, and, according to the accounts published at that time, he must have been quite a court favorite, for it is reported that King James made a trip with him from Westminster Bridge to Greenwich. The accounts assert that he could remain under water for long periods of time by simply pouring out a few drops of some secret liquid from a bottle which he carried with him. The celebrated Ben Jonson, in one of his works, refers to Debrell and his celebrated boat in a humorous passage from one of his plays, "The Staple of News," acted by "His Majesty's Servants" in 1625. P. JUN.--Have you no news against him, on the contrary? NATH.--Yes, sir. They write here, one Cornelius-son hath made the Hollanders an invisible eel, to swim the haven at Dunkirk and sink all the shipping there.... P. JUN.--But how is't done? CYM.--I'll show you, sir. It is an automa, runs under water, with a snug nose, and has a nimble tail, made like an auger, with which tail she wriggles betwixt the costs (ribs) of a ship, and sinks it straight.... P. JUN.--A most brave device, to murder their flat bottoms. (_Act_ II, _S._ 1.)