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Deacon Phineas Pratt

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Deacon Phineas Pratt

Birth	:	27 Jun 1747
Death	:	4 Feb 1813
Burial	:	River View Cemetery, Essex, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.3569183, -72.3919220
Inscription	:	Aged 66
Description	:	From the Connecticut River Museum in Essex CT, comes the following information: David Bushnell's 1776 invention, the American Turtle. The first submarine ever to be used in combat was actually constructed as an afterthought. Bushnell and fellow Yale University intellectual, Phineas Pratt, had conceived of the underwater bomb with a time delayed flintlock detonator. The one-man, hand-propelled submarine was designed simply to transport the bomb to the enemy vessel. The American Turtle was successfully launched in the dark of night on September 6/7, 1776 against the British flagship, HMS Eagle, a 64 gun frigate moored in New York harbor off... Read More	From the Connecticut River Museum in Essex CT, comes the following information: David Bushnell's 1776 invention, the American Turtle. The first submarine ever to be used in combat was actually constructed as an afterthought. Bushnell and fellow Yale University intellectual, Phineas Pratt, had conceived of the underwater bomb with a time delayed flintlock detonator. The one-man, hand-propelled submarine was designed simply to transport the bomb to the enemy vessel. The American Turtle was successfully launched in the dark of night on September 6/7, 1776 against the British flagship, HMS Eagle, a 64 gun frigate moored in New York harbor off of the island now occupied by the Statue of Liberty. The American Turtle had undergone extensive test trials in the safe colonial waters of the Connecticut River off Old Saybrook, Ct., piloted by the inventor's brother Ezra Bushnell. Unfortunately, on the eve of the submarine's first combat mission, Ezra Bushnell died. With a freshly recruited, but less practiced pilot, Ezra Lee of Old Lyme, Ct., the American Turtle made its way underwater to the rudder of the Eagle's hull. Unfortunately, Lee first struck metal rather than wood with the screw intended to attach the bomb to the enemy's hull. After a second failed attempt, Lee propelled the American Turtle away, only to be observed and chased. The bomb was released into the water and resulted in a frightening explosion. While the American Turtle failed to destroy its target, the British recognized the threat and moved the fleet. Weather problems, and other operating difficulties prevented a successful attack by the submarine before it was scuttled by the British while being transported. "The Pratt family or, The descendants of Lieut. William Pratt, one of the first settlers of Hartford and Saybrook" by Frederick William Chapman 1864 pages 80, 99, 100, 101, 102

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Deacon Phineas Pratt's memorial?
Deacon Phineas Pratt's memorial is located at: River View Cemetery, Essex, Middlesex County, USA.
When did Deacon Phineas Pratt death?
Deacon Phineas Pratt death on 4 Feb 1813 in
Where are the coordinates of the Deacon Phineas Pratt's memorial?
Latitude: 41.3569183
Longitude: -72.3919220

Family Members:

Spouse

Hepzibah Pratt Pratt

(1749 - 1813)

Children

(1772 - 1842)

(1773 - 1820)

(1775 - 1864)

(1777 - 1860)

(1782 - 1856)

(1786 - 1835)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. River View Cemetery
Essex, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3569183, -72.3919220

2. Prospect Hill Cemetery
Essex, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3551064, -72.3925323

3. Grove Cemetery
Essex, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3565941, -72.3955765

4. Centerbrook Cemetery
Essex, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3489990, -72.4163589

5. Ely Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3678017, -72.3574982

6. Lord Graveyard
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3687230, -72.3460420

7. Joshuatown Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3945961, -72.3779907

8. Thurston Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3944920, -72.3766260

9. First Congregational Church Cemetery
Deep River, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3831215, -72.4328918

10. Fountain Hill Cemetery
Deep River, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3861008, -72.4325027

11. North Lyme Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3867000, -72.3499100

12. Sterling Family Cemetery
Old Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3807983, -72.3380966

13. Marvin Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4003105, -72.3446274

14. Saint Johns Roman Catholic Cemetery
Old Saybrook, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3009338, -72.3783035

15. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Chester, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4010162, -72.4411163

16. Selden Cemetery
Hadlyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4138985, -72.4092026

17. Upper Cemetery
Old Saybrook, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2991982, -72.3783035

18. Eight Mile River Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4033270, -72.3438010

19. Emerson Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4112200, -72.3586120

20. Laurel Hill Cemetery
Chester, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4033012, -72.4475021

21. Richard's Cemetery
Hadlyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4224670, -72.3914140

22. Small Pox Cemetery
Old Saybrook, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2919000, -72.4041100

23. Luther Cemetery
Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4206009, -72.4160995

24. Duck River Cemetery
Old Lyme, New London County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3106003, -72.3277969