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Westbrook Connecticut Holiday Ornament - Bushnell's Turtle

Westbrook Connecticut Holiday Ornament - Bushnell's Turtle

Regular price $24.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $24.00 USD
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An egg-shaped wooden submarine with iron bands, a brass hatch and a hand-cranked propeller, floating low in a tidal river, 1776 on a plate and a wreath on the hatch. The first submarine ever used in war was built here.

David Bushnell built the Turtle on the Connecticut shore in 1775, a one-man wooden hull that could sink, creep under a ship by hand crank and screw a charge to its hull. In September 1776 it went under a British warship in New York Harbor. The screw hit iron and the charge drifted off, but the idea was proven, and submarines have been chasing it since.

The village where he built it was Saybrook then and is Westbrook now. There is a replica, a monument, and a town that is quietly proud of having invented the most secret weapon there is.

A weapon that failed on its first night and changed naval warfare anyway is a very New England kind of success. The wreath on the hatch is the holiday touch.

David Bushnell built the Turtle submarine, the first submarine used in war, on the Connecticut shore in 1775. The Bushnell Turtle is Westbrook CT's place in Connecticut history and in revolutionary war submarine history. This submarine ornament is a Westbrook Christmas ornament and Connecticut ornament for the tree.

3-inch faceted crystal glass ornament, white-backed print, line-drawn in 1880s engraving style, your choice of white or gold gift box.

Every Westbrook ornament ships ready to give, and profits support hunger relief. Hang it on the tree, in a window, off a lamp, or send one to the person who misses Westbrook most.

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Today Westbrook is a quiet Long Island Sound town of about seven thousand — salt marshes and a common river mouth, masts in the harbor at Pilots Point, the town green on the old Boston Post Road, and the Town Center Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, that records three centuries of shoreline New England. Greek Revival and colonial homes along the old road still carry the markers of the "Descendants of Westbrook Settlers," and out in the marsh the cedar rise of Hawk's Nest keeps the shoreline's older geography in view. It is a town that wears its history lightly — and has more of it than almost anyone passing through would guess.

Our Westbrook logo carries Connecticut's oyster shell over "Connecticut · Est. 1636," tying the town to the colonial founding of Connecticut — the shared emblem of every Merlin Classics Connecticut place. Printed black-and-white with the worn look of an old oyster-crate label, the shell reads as the shoreline in shorthand: tidal, maritime, salt-aired. What makes this one Westbrook is the story behind it — the Oyster River, the Sound, and the birthplace of the submarine.

Why People Visit Westbrook

Westbrook offers quiet shoreline New England with a remarkable story beneath it. Visitors come for the beaches, the marsh and harbor, the historic town center, and the distinction of standing in the birthplace of the submarine. It's low-key, scenic, and steeped in Long Island Sound maritime heritage.

Westbrook Connecticut Merlin Classics retro vintage logo featuring an oyster shell over Connecticut Est. 1636

Wear Local. Feed Local. Stay Classic.

Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Because items are made to order, we can’t accept returns for sizing or color choices. We do accept returns for defects, misprints, or shipping damage. Please review the detailed photos and descriptions before purchasing. Women’s fitted tees run small; if you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

How do I send gifts?

All items ship without prices and include a simple packing slip for easy gifting. Enter the recipient’s shipping address and your billing address at checkout. Use your contact info to receive tracking updates. Orders typically arrive within 6–11 business days—please allow extra time for time-sensitive gifts.

How do I care for my item?

For apparel: wash cold, inside-out, with like colors; avoid bleach and high heat; tumble dry low or hang dry. For embroidery, iron inside-out to protect the stitching. See specific care instructions in product descriptions and also follow general best practices in caring for your items for long term enjoyment.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item on demand using premium blanks, embroidery, and soft-hand prints. Production usually takes 2–5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). You’ll receive tracking once shipped. We currently ship to U.S. addresses via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Most orders arrive within 6-12 business days.

What’s the return/exchange policy?

We accept returns for defects, misprints, or damage on arrival. Report issues within 30 days with photos and your order number, and we’ll replace or refund. Size or color changes aren’t supported after purchase, so please consult size charts before ordering if you are at all unsure.

Who are we?

Merlin Classics is a volunteer-run, AI-assisted apparel project celebrating timeless local style. Every item is made to order, and profits (revenue minus external product/marketing cost) support hunger-relief programs in the communities our collections spotlight. Classic looks, real local impact—every purchase helps.