Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-09
SPANS SUBMARINE BOAT.
1t is Not rs Great n Succ, IS rs Was
Supposed.
From the Scientific American.

FROM the scientific American.
The Spanish submarine torpedo boat
Pearl was constructed at the arsenal of
Csraca and launched October % 1887. The
boat is cigar-shaped and is - feet in length
and 912 feet in width amidships. 1t is pro-
vided with two screws, an electric motor
and torpedo tube
The first experiments were made with il
in February. 1889. The question was not to
examine the qualities of the boat as a
diver, but simply to ascertain what its
nautical capability might be. 1t wes there
fore Unanswered near the surface: but, IN
fortunately, one of the screws suddenly re-
fused to reyolve and a landing had to be
n, ade to repair it. Five months later the
Pearl started out for the second time, ard
on this occasion no accident happened.
The boat seems to have behaved pretty
well and, the Cronica General observed,
"cbeyed its inventor as a slave obeys his
ma ster." But the Spaniards are epthus-
lasts, and, long before the experiments,
they had lauded both the boat and ;ts in
Yentor up to the skies.
During subsequent trials for speed the
beat was always meeting with some mis-
hap, and it was even once stranded upon
sand bank A submarine boat, however, is
not designed to be unanswered at the sur
face of the water, but is to navigate be-
meath. 1t must be confessed that from this
viewpoint the experiments were, from all
accounts, far from being conclusive. The
Pearl certainly dived, hut SO few times that
the Spaniards had no reason 70 boast of il.
The boat remained submerged for a quar-
ter of an hour, but was immovaole aEd at
tached to the wharf by a rope. From such
an experiment no conclusion could lie
drawn to its stability.
In some more recent trials of the Pearl,
in the harbor of CadiZ, the vessel moved
about upon the surface of the water with
a speed of six miles hour, turning short,
stopping and starting with the urInost
fG cility. After a display Of her qualities in
these respects. her powers of sinking below
the surface of the water and rising again
were exhibited. Several times UP and down
she went sinking until only half of her tow
er, through which air was drawn, could be
seen above the surface of the water. After
going through variety of evolutions such
as turning, stopping and backing while in
this position, that is nearly submerged.
the cover of the tower was smut down and
the boat disappeared wholly beneath The
water and remained under the surface for
six minutes, only the flag upon the staff
being visible.
After trial of three hours ana half,
most of which time the boat was SUBJ
merged. leaving only the towe- or air pipe
half way above water, the performances
were concluded, the BOAT rose, and MIR.
Peral. the inventor, opened the cover CT
the tower, and, presenting himself upon
the exterior, was received with the great
est enthusiasm by the spectators. 1t Was,
says La Illustration Espanola, "a day of
glcry for the inventor and OF prestige for
Spain.''
1t is stated that the SpaaIaris expect to
show the efficiency of The Pearl in the de-
Tense of some one of the ports of Cuba;
in the first place. that it will be possible 10
use the boat"