The story takes place in 1776 and Nathan Wade is recruited by his cousin David to work on a secret mission for the war. Since Nathan is 14 years old he is too young to fight in the war he decides to help out his cousin by meeting secretly during the middle of the night and rowing to an off shore island. Here is where David reveals his plans to attack the British ships with his own secret weapon that he has worked on for the past couple of years while away at college. It is a water machine that travels quietly underwater and when close enough to other ships can launch underwater bombs. With this invention David and Nathan feel they could make a great contribution to the war. David reveals that he wants Nathan to solely operate the water machine and launch the underwater bombs at the British but Nathan has his own fears, he is terrified of going underwater.
This story is a historical fiction novel but it is based on the true story of the invention of the submarine during the Revolutionary War. Learning about the history of the submarine is told through this exciting adventure that these two young men experience and the fear of being caught by Tories. Very interesting and suspenseful story.
Chapter Book: Historical Fiction Mrs. Bender
