The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-07-26
A NOVEL BOAT.
Made to Run Under Water Guided by Fin
and Driven by Electricity.

New York Sun.
In the boiler room of the Delematel
iron works, at the foot of West Thir
teenth street, a dozen men are building
an iron steamboat of peculiar design
and have about all the plates riveted in
place. 1t is thirty feet long by seven
and half broad and six deep. The
model is very sharp where the water is
divided, while the run aft will give solid
water to the wheel. 1t looks much like
q substantial steam launch, except the
side frames are carried up and arched
over the top to form the rounded deck,
which wholly covers the hold except at
a round hatch in the center. At this
hatch a we'll is to be constructed,
with door in one side leading, into
the hold. On each side Of the
keel enough lead will be placed to
load the vessel to the waters edge,
after all the machinery, stores,
etc., are on board. There are a num-
Der of small compartments which can
be filed with water and emptied at the
pleasure of the crew, and by this means
the vessel can be sunk to any depth be-
low the surface. Over the water bal
last compartments, on each side and
beneath the floor, are number of six
inch iron tubes which will be filled with
compressed air, to be liberated as the
air grows foul within the boat.
The motive power is electricity, fur
nished by storage batteries which will
turn the propeller by common dyna-
mo. Incandescent electric lamps will
furnish light. The boat is steered to
port or starboard by common rudder,
while horizontal rudder or fin on each
side of the stern-post will elevate or de-
press the stern, and thus shove The YES
sci further from or nearer to the sur
face, independent of the action of the
water ballast pump. The inventor,
MIR. j. H. L. Tuck, says that she will
attain speed of eight knots an hour,
and can travel 100 miles with her ordi-
nary storage batteries. A hand crank
is also fitted for turning the propeller
shaft, by which slow speed could be
obtained.
The well hole in the center of the |
boat is fitted with an air-tight hatch,
which can be removed from within.
Any one of the crew wishing to go on
deck when the boat is below the sur
face has only to dress in an ordinary
Divers suit, with air tubes connecting
with the interior of the boat, inter the
we'll, close the door, gradually fill the
we'll with water and then remove the
match. In the well are suitable devices
or directing the man at the Wheel as
veil as those in charge of the apparatus
or elevating, lowering and Topelling
he boat. When leaving the we'll the
latch is closed, the water runs into the
water ballast compartments, and then
he man opens the door and removes
lis armor.
In warfare large torpedo can be
ttached to each end of the boat, with
strong insulated wire connecting the
wo together, and with an electric bat
cry in the boat. 10 apply the torpe-
Oes to the bottom of ship the boat
as only to run beneath it. When di-
ectly athwartships, under the keel, the {
ilot in the well-hole can loosen the
)rpedoes and allow them to rise under
he bilges of the ship. Then he can '
IN his boat ahead safe distance and I
xplode the torpedoes. If desirable I
nall cupola, with glass windows and '
q electric lamp, can replace the well,
nd the boat can be operated from l
thin. U
The boat is designed to remain under :
alter without inconvenience to the I.
'ew for rty-eight hours, but rubber I
he device will be attached by means y
which air can be drawn from the !
Irface of the water under ordinary cir
instances. A small mercury indica- d
r will show the boats distance below
70 surface.