An item reported that the Union navy ordered the French engineer
Villerot (1) to built a submarine (2) with the dimensions 50’x 4’ x 6’(hold) at the aft egg-shaped
and at the front conical-shaped. The fish tail shaped rudder was located and
operated inside the hull. She was moved with 18 rows. Rowers and other crewmembers
were protected by a bold armoured deck above them. The inner space in which
they worked was fitted out with 50 circular portholes for view and devices for
refreshing the atmosphere. At the front
and at the keel were hatches made where submerged burners the submarine could
leave for attacking from below the water level ships of the enemy. The project
was already dating from some time ago. There had even been a plan to use it for
destroying the Merrimac but lacking enough time to produce all devices was this
plan never executed. At the moment were all problems solved and she was
completed at the navy yard at Philadelphia,
USA.
Notes
1. This must be Brutus Amédée (de) Villeroi (1794 Tours,
France-1874 USA).
2. The USS Alligator.
