Benjamin S. H. Maillefert: Pioneering Submarine Engineer of the 19th Century
Benjamin Maillefert, second on the left.
Origins of an Innovator
Born in Barcelona in 1813 to a French father and Spanish mother, Benjamin S. H. Maillefert’s life was destined for mobility and ingenuity. After the turbulence of the Peninsular Wars, his family relocated to England. By 1846, at age 33, Maillefert, already known for his adventurous spirit and technical skill, had charted a course to Nassau in the Bahamas.
A Breakthrough in the Bahamas
Maillefert’s reputation as a “submarine engineer” was put to the test in 1847 when he was hired to salvage the wreck of the Sybella of Boston off Nassau. His inventive approach, placing explosive charges directly atop the wreck to harness the water’s force, proved remarkably effective, shattering the hulk and setting a new standard for underwater salvage. Shortly after, Maillefert cleared 900 tons of coral from Rockfish Shoal at the entrance to Nassau Harbor in just four months, further cementing his reputation.
Brotherhood and New Horizons
On June 13th, 1849, Maillefert was raised to Master Mason in Royal Victoria Lodge 443 in Nassau, a lodge still active today. Inspired by his achievements, he sought out greater challenges, heading to New York to confront the notoriously treacherous Hell Gate in the East River.
Revolutionizing Hell Gate
Hell Gate was among the most dangerous navigational hazards in New York’s waterways. Hell Gate caused thousands of ships to sink or run aground. This passage was also known for a massive whirlpool created by the conflicting currents of the Long Island Sound, Harlem River, and Upper Bay of New York Harbor. Maillefert’s audacious proposal: clear the rocks without the need for diving or drilling by lowering explosives and triggering them electrically. Though initially met with skepticism, his persistence attracted financiers, including Henry Grinnell, enabling him to begin blasting Pot Rock in 1851. His technique was nothing short of dramatic: at high tide, Maillefert’s team set canisters of powder on the rocks, then triggered them from a distance, sending colossal plumes of water skyward in the heart of New York City. Hundreds of explosive charges later, the notorious obstructions were dramatically reduced.
Triumphs and Tragedy
Underwater blasting carried enormous risk. In March 1852, Maillefert was severely injured, and two assistants killed, when a charge accidentally detonated next to his boat. After a long recovery, Maillefert returned to finish the job, reducing Pot Rock by more than 20 feet and tackling other major obstructions between New York, Connecticut, and Louisiana.
Recognition and Rivalry
In 1852, Maillefert patented his “improvement in blasting rocks under water” (Patent No. 8776), pioneering the use of electric detonation for underwater explosives. His methods quickly earned national acclaim, with the New York Times lauding his results and the maritime community seeking his expertise. Despite his groundbreaking work, Maillefert faced professional setbacks, losing the contract for Diamond Reef clearance to a lower bidder, Julius Kroehl, who put Maillefert’s very techniques to use. Triggering the begining of a long rivalry.
Legacy in Leadership and Freemasonry
Maillefert's expertise continued to shape the East Coast. In 1858 he patented a unique diving bell, which during the Civil War, led to the US Navy consulting him on underwater engineering (a story for another article.) His authority on the subject secured further contracts, including the blasting of the northern section of Hell Gate in the 1860s.Beyond engineering, Maillefert helped shape the community of Astoria. In 1866, alongside 21 fellow Freemasons, he established the first Masonic lodge in Astoria Village at Oddfellows’ Hall (today’s intersection of 21st Street and Astoria Boulevard.) Their efforts led to the formal chartering of Advance Lodge No. 635 in the following year.
Enduring Impact
Benjamin S. H. Maillefert’s daring innovations revolutionized underwater engineering and salvage. Through his relentless pursuit of safer waterways and civic leadership, he remains an enduring figure in both marine engineering and the fabric of his adopted communities.
