The Turtle was an early submarine built in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. It was designed by the inventor David Bushnell to attack British warships.

 

 

The vessel was operated by a single person and moved using hand-powered propellers. Its wooden hull had a shape that resembled a turtle shell, which inspired its name. In 1776, the Turtle attempted to attach an explosive charge to the British ship HMS Eagle in New York Harbor. Although the mission was unsuccessful, it demonstrated the potential of underwater warfare. The Turtle is regarded as one of the first practical military submarines.