The San Francisco call., 1896-11-22
Speeding on Wheel Under the Oceans Waves
Genius Makes Possible for Bicycst to Ride With Safety
Under the Water

desired distance above the bottom and
take birdseye view as 1t were OF the
scene of operation. Thus it will be seen
that the submarine bicycle, from busi-
ness standpoint. is very excellent thing
indeed.
Entirely unlike anything ever before
produced in the bicycle line this machine
is still in all its essential features bicy-
Gle, with wheels, gearing, sprocket wheel
and all complete. Ii is intended solely for
submarine use. 1t is painted with water
proof composition which prevents rust.
The machine itself consists OF the regu-
lation shaped bicycle frame, two wheels,
the usual running gear, with some addi-
tions, and two cylinders. These cylinders
are really the secretlof the whole machine
and its ability to travel below the ocean.
They are about eight feet long and nine
inches in diameter through the center
Their construction is bit peculiar in that
while they are constructed of copper they
are balanced with several hundreds of
pounds of lead fastened to the under side
This is done so that when beneath the sur
face the cylinders will maintain their
proper position. The cylinders are filled
with air and serve to Keep the submarine
bicycle at the desired depth.
1t is by means of these same cylinders
that the machine is raised or lowered at
the will of the rider. On the forward side
of each cylinder is an automatic valve
which is controlled by the rider by means
of wire running from the valve to the
bundle bar of the machine. This valve
opens into two narrow com mpartments run
ming the length of the cylinder and which
are kept closed by the outside pressure of
the water.
When it is desired to send the machine
to any depth the rider pulls the wire con-
Meeting with the valve, and the inrushing
water causes the machine to gradually
sink below the surface. When the desired
depth has been reached the wire is re-
leased. the valve closes and the machine
remains stationary, not between heaven
and earth, but between the surface and
the bottom of the ocean.
Connecting the two cylinders are two hol-
low metal rods which serve the double pur-
pose of connecting the air-filled cylinders
and acting as axles for the two wheels of
the bicycle. The rims of the wheels pro-
ject above and below the cylinders. These
wheels have the customary spokes, inter-
woven as usual, but the rim is entirely
different from that of the land machine.
In place of big pneuma attic ties the out
side of the rims of these wheels are fitted
with cogs. These coes fit into the cogs
of two much smaller wheels which work
on rod running close beside the wheels.
on the opposite side from the running
gear. These cog-wheels are cone-shaped
and firmly fixed to the rod, at the rear
end of which is propeller.
The pedals of the submarine bicycIe are
fixed in exactly the same manner as an
ordinary machine. the only unusual ap-
pearance being that instead of one ma
chine there are two-one connecting with
the front and the other with the rear
wheel. In order to operate these two
chains the sprocket wheel is double.
AS the pedals are worked by the rider
both wheels revolve at the same time
and, working upon the small, cone.
shaped cog-wheels on the bar, cause the
propeller to revolve, and so give motion to
this most unique of all vehicles.
The rider sits somewhat higher on tho
submarine bicycle than on the ordinary
machine, and the external appearance of
the submarine rider is rather uncannv
As riding under water in an ordinary
bicycle suit might be somewhat uncom.
Portable, light form of diving suit. helmet
and all. has been devised for the use of
the submarine rider. The heImet ;s
somewhat lighter than that used by the
professional diver, but the arrangement ia
exactly the same. The rest of the snit ;s
in no way different.
Directly beneath the seat of the subma-
rince bicycle is an oblong metal box or
chest which is divided into two equal parts.
The larger division is used for the storage
OF compressed air, while in the lesser diyi-
sion is valve chest. A small driving-rod
copnects with the rear wheel OF the ma
chine, and when the rider does not care to
operate the submarine bicycle in the
usual manner by means of the pedals the