New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-22

are four torpedo tubes. T T. two pointing forward
and two aft. These are fixed TO the vessel: and
aim Is taken by shifting the boat about. To IA
cllitate the latter operation screw-propeier IS
mounted In a transverse passage. l.. through the
boat out forward. Herewith this inventor be-
leves would be possible TO turn the vessel ABOUT
completely within her own length. II by any pos
slbillty any accident happened TO the observing
tube which admitted water. only the man inside
of IL would suffer. The tube Is connected with a
longitudinal compartment along the top or the
boat separated from the rest Of the hull by a
water-tight bulkhead 1t Is practicable OF course,
to discharge the torpedo while the boat is in mo-
ton but II IL were desirable to stop, the depth
regulating vanes would not keep the boat down
at the desired depth. The reserve buoyancy would
tend bring her up to the surface. In this situa-
ton. pressure gauge like that already mentioned
would be connected with the propeers. { {, now
made to run in the same direction; and the depth
thus would be automatically governed Of course
the weights. ". could be used instead but the
automatic plan lust referred TO would be the most
convenient
Mr. Lake has kept In view important peaceful in
dustrles well martial interests IN deVisihs
his boat. simpler form OF II Is suited TO the WORK
OF raising wrecked vessels. recovering their carsoes
laying bridge and pier foundations and performing
other submarine engineering work. In fact. his i'm
mediate ambition lies chiefly in this direction He
hopes before many months TO see a boat con-
structed after his designs exclusively for wreckns
purposes. From such vessel would be omitted the
torpedo and observing tubes the levelling and depth
regulating vanes. the transverse passage ana steer
ing screws. and the two screws under the keel For
getting to the bottom and rising again, and FOR
keeping the boat Level the haf-ton weights and
Another original idea OF this inventor relates
to the method OF ho'rtins wrecks. The Pracuce
snken IN vssse with 10 aid 81 attach these
to partially submsrsed PuWp the the w wassF
a few feet the whole feet into shaliower
water and repat the series OF ITO ,sn al
brackets riveted on to the sides Of the wreck
f thus &o spSGs s nsa1 job a" single day
OF taking weeks. and avoiding all risk Of inter
lmlnary work getting the wreck ready for hoist,
ing. could be done under water. regardless OF
foot or more in diameter projected from the side
OF his submarine boat, Mr. Lake would attach the
drill operated by motor inside the boat would
taching brackets to the side Of the wreck Perhaps
five six of these would be applied 10 each side
% the sunken craft the number dependins on ner
weight and the strength OF the Jacks to be used
To complete these preparations and for other pur-
poses T. is provided that the wreckers may emerge
the sea 4 chamber' c. corresponding to the air-iock
cavatng under water, Is fitted up In the fore part
admits enough compressed air from tank in the
main hold 10 give pressure equal TO that OF the
Boats bottom. and Steps outside. lie has the usual
divers helmet. but gets air for breathing from
knapsack on his back, after the French style. He
can move with far greater freedom. therefore.
and work with greater courage than the diver who
Is lowered from tug. AMI who Is in constant peril
from interference with his ATTITUDE and lifeline
Besides. scarchlIghts the bow OF the submarine
boat illuminate the field OF operations; and diver
knows that hA step back instantly to his refuge
or be assisted quickly by another member OF the
crew. II occasion arises. For breaking out the
cargo OF a wreck 10 be hoisted to q vessel above.
OF .he aforementioned craft and II Is intended that
a motor In the wrecking- boat. controlled by a man
who looks out the scene, and receives sound
signals from the divers, shall do the hoisting.
Knocking two stones or pieces OF metal together
answers very we'll under water for signalling. but
telephones would also be available In this service.
especially for communication with vessel up at
the surface. The airlock and trap-door for getting
outside could also be introduced into torpedo
boat. Such facilities might prove useful at times.
The saving Of time in raising wreck when II
found and properly prepared for the final
work. would make II practicable 10 bring up vessels
that have sunk at sea Heretofore 1t has only been
attempted by others in harhors and bays But Mr..
Lake thinks he Will also be able TO find wrecks
much quickly when their general locality Is
reached. His plan of running along the bot
tom whee.s. and having searchlights the
TEN OF exploration. His parallel lines. say 1--WE miles
long. would need TO be twice as far apart the
distance penetrated by his light In Northern
waters he could probably see 300 feet in each direc-
ton: further south. perhaps 600
IL Is claimed that the crew OF such boat this
could live comfortably on board for several days
a time land.