The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1868-01-09

ascend to the surface, he also made use of
these forcing pumps. When The skiIlful
operator bad obtained an equilibrium, he
could row upwards, or downward, or con,
tinue at any particular depth, with an oar,
placed near the top o: the vessel, formed
upon the principle Of the screw, the axis
o! the oar entering the vessel; by turning
the oar one way he raised the vessel, BY
turning it the other way lie depressed
il.
A glass tube, eigh teen inches long, and
one inch in diameter, standing upright, its
upper end closed, and its lower end
which was open, screwed into a brass
pipe, through which the external water
had passage into the glass tube, served
as a water gage or barometer. There was
piece OF cork, with phosphorus on it,
put into the water gage. When the YES,
sci descended the water rose in the water
gage, condeusng the air within, and bear.
ing the cork, with its phosphorus, on its
surface. By the light Of the phosphorus,
the ascent OF the water in the gage was
rendered visible, and the depth Of the YES
sci under water ascertained by a gradual
ed line.
An oar, formed upon the principle Of
the screw, was fixed in the fore part of
the vessel its axis entered the vessel.
and being turned one way, rowed the YES
sci forward, but being turned the other
way, rowed il backward it was made to
be turned by the hand or foot
A rudder, hung to the hinder par, Of
the vessel, commanded it with the greatest
ease. The rudder was made very elastic,
and nigh, be used for rowing forward
Its tilIer was within the vessel at the op.
orators right hand, fixed at a right angle,
on an iron rod, which passed through the
side Of the vessel; the rod had a crank
on i.s outside end, which commanded the
rudder, by means Of rod extending from
the end OF the crank TO a kind of tiller
fixed upon the left hand Of the rudder.-
Raising and depressing the aforementioned
tiller turned the rudder as the case reauir-
ed.
A compass, marked with phosphorus,
directed the course, both above aud under
the water; and a line and lead founded
the depth when necessary.
The internal shape Of the vessel, in
every possible section Of it. verged toward
an ellipsis, as near as the design would
allow, but every horizontal section, al.
though ellip,ical, vet "a near to circle as
could be admitted. The body Of the YES,
sel was made exceedingly strong; and to
strengthen it as much rs possible, firm
piece of wood was framed, parallel to the
conjngate diameter, to prevent the sides
from yielding TO the great pressure of the
incumben, water, in a deep immersion
| This piece of wood was also a seat for the
operator.
Every opening was we'll secured. The
pumps had two sets OF valves The aper
ture at the bottom, for admitting water.
was covered with a plate, perforated full
OF holes 10 receive the water, and prevent
anything from choking the passage, or
stopping the valve from shu,,irg. The
brass valve might likewise be forced into
it's place with screw, IL necessary. The
air pipes had kind Of hollow sphere,
fixed round the top OF each, to secure the
air pipe valves from injury these hollow
spheres were perforated full OF holes, for
the passage Of the air through the pipes;
within the air pipes were shutters to Sc,
cure them, should any accident happen 10
the pipes, or the valves on their tops.
Wherever the external apparatus pass
ed through the body Of the vessel, the
joints we're round, and formed by brass
pipes, which were driven into the wood of
the vessel, the bolss through the pipes
were very exactly made, and the iron
roas, ~hich passed through them. were
turned in lathe to fit them the JOINTS
were also kept full of oil, to prevent rust
and leaking. Particular attention was
given to bring every part necessary for
performing the operations. both within
and without the vessel, before the operator,
and as conveniently as could be devised {;
so that everything might be found in the
dark. except the water'gage and the CONT
pass, which were visible by the ligh. Of
the phosphorus, and nothing required the
operator to turn to the right hand, or to
the lett, to perform any thing necessary.
THE MAGAZINE.
Iu the fore part Of the brim OF the