David Bushnell's Turtle

In 2003, I worked as part of a small group of historians, artists and traditional builders to build this full-scale replica of America's first submarine. We constructed the sub at Handshouse Studio using the materials and processes available to the builders of the 1775 original. As part of the project, part of our team brought the Turtle to the Naval Academy in Annapolis to study the submarine in their 380-foot towing tank. The entire project and the amazing history surrounding this object were the focus of a documentary shown on the Discovery Channel, the BBC, and France Channel 5. The project was also featured in several print publications including National Geographic, Archaeology, and Timber Framing.

Selected Bibliography

• Handshouse Studio: Building the Replica of David Bushnell's Turtle
• Tom Gidwitz, "Turtle Dives Again", Archaeology, May/June 2005
• "Machines That Time Forgot", Windfall Films / BBC / Discovery Channel
• "A Revolutionary Craft", National Geographic, November 2003
• "The Replica of David Bushnell's Turtle", MassArt Featured Alumni Story, 2003

Photos: Cary Wolinsky