Milford in South Central Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 21, 2010

1. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine Marker

The Restored Marker

Inscription. The Explorer, completed in 1936, was the last boat built by the pioneering submarine designer and builder, Simon Lake. The Explorer was intended strictly for research and salvage and was linked to a mother ship for air and power. Divers could enter and leave the submarine through an escape hatch. The boat was also equipped with a mechanical arm and basket. Like Simon Lake's first great submarine, The Argonaut, Jr. (1894), the Explorer could travel under water either by the propeller or along the ocean floor on drive wheels.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 41° 13.265′ N, 73° 3.322′ W. Marker is in Milford in South Central Region, Connecticut. It is on Helwig Street 0.1 miles north of Armory Lane, on the right when traveling north. Located at the Milford Landing Marina. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 Helwig Street, Milford CT 06460, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley,

on the Connecticut Shoreline,

and in Greater New Haven.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Haven County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Landing Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Milford Memorial Stone Bridge (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Milford (about 700 feet away); Milford World War II Memorial (about 700 feet away); Milford Volunteer Fire Department

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Eells - Stow House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ye Home of Freelove Baldwin Stow (approx. 0.2 miles away); Milford Memorial Flag Pole (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milford.

More about this marker. Thanks to Jim Barchuck for permission to use his pictures.

Also see . . .
1. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine. The Simon Lake Submarine Web Site entry (Submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

2. Simon Lake. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on September 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 7, 2010

2. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine

The missing marker was on the wooden stand to the right of the submarine.

Photographed by Jim Barchuck, August 29, 2000

3. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine Marker

The blue marker can be seen on the wooden stand just to the left of the front wheel.

Photographed by Jim Barchuck, August 29, 2000

4. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine

The collection basket is hanging from the extender arm, in front of the wheel.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 21, 2010

5. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine Marker

The Marker Has Been Restored. Seen at the Milford Oyster Festival, August 21, 2010.

Photographed by Jim Barchuck, August 29, 2000

6. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine

Close-up of the front wheel. At the lower left is a maneuvering propeller on a swing arm. Round viewing ports are under the overhang and above the swing arm.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 7, 2010

7. Simon Lake's Explorer Submarine

At the stern is the pivoting rear wheel and main propellor.

Simon Lake autograph lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, December 16, 2019

8. Simon Lake autograph lot

Portrait, signature, submarine plan

Small marker next to submarine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 7, 2010

9. Small marker next to submarine

In Memory Of
J. Lloyd Fleming
May 25, 1939 – October 14, 2003
Who Played a Significant Role In
Locating This Historic Submarine
On This Site.
In Grateful Appreciation For His
Numerous Contributions to the
City of Milford

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,243 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 12, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 5. submitted on September 12, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 6, 7. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 8. submitted on September 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 9. submitted on February 23, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.