The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-28 00:00:00

THE MECHANICAL NAUTILUS.

The New York Tribune describes a new machine
apparently destined to supersede the diving bell, and which
has been experimented with at the Navy Yard, New York.
The Dentine says
The machine is of peculiar construction, being in fact •
mechaucal nautilus, having the power of secant and de-
scent at wiP, entirely independent of suspension. In con-
meet with the machine at the surface, is a reservoir of
condemned air, which, wording to depth of water, may
contain from 20 to 120 pounds pressure of air to the equate
inch. This compression is produced by a powerful pump
capable of throwing 4,000 cubic feet of air per hour. By an
interior arrangement of tanks, Re., a variable buoyancy may
be given to the machine ; capable of lifting weights of tenor
non tons ; it can be held in suspension at any point of
ascent or descent, thus allowing stones to be raised clear
from the bottom, then transported and deposited in any
precire 'pot movement being effected in any direction
eihateer by a series of three cables and anchors worked
from the inside, anent and descent are effected in a most
rend manner. This facility of descent, change of buoyancy,
and power of movement under water, render this machine
of great value for all submarine purposes. The whole bed
of a river may be vutplontd from bank to bank—treason,
pearl shells, corals, sponges, and all products uader water,
may be easily gathered and sent to the surface, without re-
gutting the machine to rise to the surface. An arrange-
ment of the machine permits the digging of trenches under
water, by which telegraph wires and water pipes may be
placed below the reach of anchors. Foundations of mere
may be prepared, and then built upon, obviating ell crane
work for raising and lowering stone, as all work of lifting,
transporting, and depositing is done by the machine
hell. An arrat gement is also made for attaching camels
to sunken ship, for raising them, by applying points
of sum on directly to the timbers of the ship. In • word,
the power or condensed air acting as a motor, does the
whole work, merely reiuning two men inside and one at
the reface to manage it. Mr. Lee, engineer of the com-
pel, cater d with his men and immediately commenced
the descent, dep'Wof water 30 tett. He root the ant time in
four seconds from the bottom, jumping almost clear from
the water; another ascent was made, and movement was
made toward the stern of the North Carolina, rising again
at about one hundred feet distant. The machine, capable
of holding ten penes', was moved with one band by Mr.
Cults; who volunteered to descend. A party of gentlemen
then catered and descended, removing the covet (four feat
in diametet) from the bottom. Owing to descent into the
mud the machine wos started rapidly to the suttees. PIMP'
tau cearly clear of it, and immediately disappearing. After
retaining half an hour longer, the gentlemen reappeared.
The satersa of the machine was perfect. The experiments
were private, to receive the opinion of some of our most
talented oaken of engineers. Capt. Hudson, Lieut. Boggs,
olefin of the yard, Captains Cullum and Oilmen of the
seinen', General Ward B. Burnett, Mr. IL B. Parke,
of Philadelphia, ea also • number of well kaown mer-
chants sad ship septaies were present. But one opinion
was espreed, that an excellent practical machine was olp-
taised. TM dimensions of this machine are eleven feet
greatest diameter in the centre, and eight feet at top and
bottom ; height, eight feet ; opening in bottom to work
thrush, four feet. The descent If attained by moving a
allele valve, ascent by movement of one air and one water
vole., The safety of this machine is great, as cutting off
the air pipe, rant can be obtained by sit different modes
la one animate. Some weeks since, Mr. Robert J. Walker,
accompanied by the Manatee from the Ecuador, Professor
Julien, of Beaton, and a party of gentlemen' witnessed
elpenassata st " Hell Gabe, Mr. Walker and Professor
Jerking remaining below in communication with bottom
at 37 NM lee Wee than half an hour. Thew gentlemen all
expressed the sane opinion ris that of yesterday.