Live from the Boathouse! Fred Fresé and Roy Manstan presents The American Turtle in the Revolutionary War

Live from the Boathouse!
Fred Fresé and Roy Manstan presents The American Turtle in the Revolutionary War
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
6 – 7 p.m.

This lecture will be available in person and over Zoom. Prices are listed below.

In-person Pricing:
Members: FREE 
Non-Members: $10.00

Virtual Pricing:
Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5.00

ALL Members, Non-Members, and virtual attendees must use the link below to reserve your spot. Virtual attendees will be sent the live stream link after purchasing a Virtual Ticket.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

David Bushnell of Saybrook built the first combat submarine in 1776 and deployed it in New York Harbor to attack British warships. The Turtle carried Bushnell’s primary invention — a highly destructive underwater mine. The Turtle was the forerunner of modern submarine warfare. Join us to learn about this engineering marvel!

Roy R. Manstan is co-author of the book: “Turtle: David Bushnell’s Revolutionary Vessel.” He was a mechanical engineer and former Command Diving Officer of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and he has degrees from Lafayette College, the University of Connecticut, and Connecticut College.

Fred Fresé constructed the first Turtle replica in 1976, which is currently housed at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, CT. The second replica he constructed with high school students of Old Saybrook High School, is on display at Westbrook Town Hall. Fred received his teaching degree from Central Connecticut State University, and was a technical arts teacher at Old Saybrook High School.