The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-09

glass bottom has been constructed by q
| newfoundland genius. and the experiment
has proved success to the extent that &C.
cupants OF the boat can. while cruising
about. see distinctly objects many feet be-
| low the surface OF the sea.
The little craft darts every day through
| the water OF Trinity Bay. Newfoundland,
and creates as much wonder and specuIa-
ton among the supplemented natives as
would the appearance or u strange fish. At
present the little glass bottomed craft is
used by its owner and inventor simply for
pleasure and an amateurs study Of the
mysteries and curiUsities OF the waters Of
the bay.
But Pierre st. Felix, the inventor and
owner OF this curious craft, expects to make
comfortable living out of il. He has had
the idea for his boat ever since, as fisher
lad AT Catalina, he made his first water
glass By setting a bit of window glass in
the bottom of a rusty tin can. He noticed
how when he put this slass-bottomed can
below the surface of the water. so as to
avoid refraction, he could see many feet
deep into the depths or the water. A 8 he
leaned over the side of his boat looking
into the water until he was stiff in the
hack. little Pierre thought what good idea
it would be II he could fix his glass In the
boats bottom SO that he could seethe water
without lending over. He kept his idea to
himself, however, and II was not until tile
present year, when he is grow man. with
many years OF experience with the danger
OF the rough sea. that he sees his idea a
reality, and one that is likely to carry him
past the necessity of dangerous work for
ever.
The greater part of the eighteen feet of
st. Felix's boat on the bottom is taken up
with the glass. 1t is arranged in three
divisions, fitted close with strips of heavy
leather ut the edges to prevent LEAKING The
glass is an iHch thick.
Ranged along the length Of the boat, so
as TO incluse the glass Oh every side,
there are fixed chains, arranged in posi-
ton SO that Il sitter may look downward
without the slightest effort. Catalina is
sixty miles north OF st. Johns, and every
year many visitors have been in the habit
OF gcing there for no other purpose than
to look into, the water through the rough
water-glassesi of the fishermen. The wa
ter ut the bay is particularly clear, and
under ordinary conditions depth OF fifty
feet can be examined. With the COM
pletion OF his boat. st. Felix Immediately
monoptlized the greater number of visit
ors. and many curious sights We're seen.
The bay abounds in curious fish. for close
tn the shore there are more than g goo
varieties. Hummer headed sharks keep
just beyond the reach OF those who hunt
FOR them; sword fish sport gaiIy about,
and, as seen through the bottom of st.
Felix's Waterfront make a strange Con-
trast to the shoals OF Goldfish. Far down
below the multitude of fish, the great
beds OF tweed wave in graceful folds
making II background far the sights above.
Aside from its Possibilities as "A unique
pleasure craft, t1ie glass-bottomed beat
is OF immense advantage to scientists, who
H.,
servations of marine life, as it exists in its
NATURAL state, below the surface Of the sea.
In clear, calm water objects far below
the surface can be distinctly seen and motion
noticed.
Where the presence OF anyone in n divers
armor would Brighten the fish and pre-
vent an extended study OF their ways,
the gIass-bott,med boat creates no alarm
among the finny deuizers of the deep,
who are apparently unaware that they
are being observed and studied from
above
THE ELECTRIC CARRIAGE
An electric carriage is now being man
ufactured by a Chicago firm, and It Is
saia they will soon be. seen running
swiftly and noiselessly about the streets
OF all large cities. They are n decided
novelty Heretofore horselesa vehicles
have been propelled by noisome easoiine
engines, which emitted unpleasant odurs.
The ens53e under the seats Jared the We
hicle, aid IN consequence the horse.ess
carriage propesicd by soeh sneaos has not
been q popular success. Bat new elec-
rricfty succesxfuiiy npfiiea % the prosni.
sion Of street vehicle has solved this
difficulty. The control of this vehicle f.
said to be perfect. and the speed Is regu-
ated by means OF simple lever. Tests