The herald., 1896-01-19

inventor, has, after four years of work,
completed a submarine boat, which has
been satisfactorily tested is proof that
this deadly vessel will figure in the
next war.
The qualities which distinguish a
submarine vessel, and without which it
would be useless, are habitableness,
security, rapidity of immersion and
emsrgence, stability, immobility at a
given depth, ready response to the
rudder, and the possibility of the crew
being able to maneuver from the inte-
rior of the boat.
For the first necessity, and, in fact,
the most essential of all-viz., habita-
bleness-the crew of the Gonbet is
provided with air by means OF COM
pressed oxygen, which is carried on the
vessel in steel tubes. exhausted under
a normal pressure. In these conditions
a crew composed of three men could
exist in the interior of a submerged
vessel for eight hours at least, and if
necessary for fifteen hours, without
suffering any Inconvenience resulting
from foul or rareted air.
Its safety has been assured by extra
ballast. Should an unforeseen accident
thrown overheard would right the boat
and it would rise to the surface like a
piece of cork. The weight of the Gou-
bet is so calculated that armed, loaded
and carrying its crew it will easily
float, leaving but small portion Of its
upper shell and its alright dome visi-
bic, which latter is used as a lockout
as il glides through the water.
l. SIah hon S,rn nrNf
to augment its density, and the boat is
furnished with interior reservoirs for
this purpose. A certain amount of
water is introduced by means of a sue
tion and force pump, and this quantity
can be augmented or diminished at
will. To sink the boat, the suction
boat draws in enough water for the
purpose; while to bring the boat to the
surface, the force pump is put in requi-
sition. The Gouoet can sink or rise
in a vertical position.
The principal obstacle so far to the
propelllng OF submarine vessel has
been its want of stability. In fact, the
equilibrium Of boat once sunk has al
ways seemed to be at the mercy of the
slightest displacement in it's interior.
Should the ballast slip to the bow or
stern, the boat is apt to take more or
less marked inclination, which makes
it impossible for man to remain in it
with safety. Owing to its mechanical
construction the Goubet rises or de-
scends without inclining to the bow or
stern, and its oscillations never dis
place its horizontal position more than
five or six centimetres,
The motive power given to the Gou-
ha%, - l. -. Ql,
trio battery. A small am cunt of power
only ia needed when the boat is COM
pletely submerged. The whole secret
of managing the Goubet lies in the va
riations of its specific weight; once
submerged, its weight is almost exactly
equal to the weight of the volume of
water which it displaees-that is to
say, its weight is nothing. 1t acts in
the water as q piece of cotton acts in
the air, tossed here and there at the
mercy Of the slightest impulsion. This
explains why, with one or two horse
power, swiftness Of seven or eight
knots may be given to this mass of
bronze, whose weight surpasses ten
tons. This is also why, in coming in
contact with an obstacle, it rebounds
like rubber ball and does not lose its
shape.
Two torpedoes are fastened under
the copper wings which are attached to
tine hull. These torpedoes can be dis
charged by very clever contrivance
by the person seated in the interior. 1t
is also proposed to attach steel rod to
the vessel, working a pair of large
shears with which to cut the wires of
the enemy's torpedoes.
In shape the Goubet is round in the
middle and conical at both ends. It is