The world's first combat submarine, (United States)

The first attack on an enemy vessel by Turtle took place in New York harbor in September 1776. Turtle functioned as anticipated, but the attack, for reasons detailed in the account taken from the report of David Bushnell of October 1787 and from the journal of James Thacher, October 1776, both reproduced here, did not succeed. Two subsequent attempts to attack British warships were thwarted by navigational issues and tides. Before Turtle could be re-deployed, it was sunk along with the sloop transporting it by enemy fire on 9 October 1776. Although recovered, Turtle saw no further service. Its eventual fate remains a mystery.