Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-11

lied crew to the surface, where they coulo
easily be accounted for by the small boats
OF the threatened squadron.
Another means of detecting the ap-
proach of submarine is me instfu-
ment, now in use in many naVeS. calico
the microphone which gives warning o.
the approach of a boat, whether above or
below the water, when at d distance o.
five miles away. After the warning ar
explosion of dynamite would ensure the
destruction of the intruder.
The story Of the submarine-boat used
during our civil war is being Iecited by
the Britishers as means Of proving the
absurdity of harm being done 10 the
British fleet by the Gustave Zede The
David it will be remembered, was the
name given TO a Confederate submarine
boat She was enabled 20 disappear under
the eurface by the simple process Of ad-
hitting sea water into tanks. and to re-
turn to the top by pumping it out again.
OF course, there was a manhole that had
10 be closed and opened. as occasion re-
auired. she floated very low upon the
water, like the Gustave Zede, but, unlike
her. had no special reservoirs of oxygen.
The David was propelled by a screw turn
ed by manual labor. With eight men at
the crank, turning hard. she could run
at about six and a half knots. When
sh6 Owed the men had to live upon the
air enclosed in the narrow space until
they reOpened their breathing valves. The
first escapade of the David was 10 80
TO the bottom and stay there until she
was grapped for and relifted. on that
occasion three men were drowned.
crew Of nine was found hardy enough 20
try again. The result appeared more s11
isfactory. for she rose and SANK III
Charleston harbor-al seemingly uhdet
sure control Then. TO get quite use 10
her. for exercise, the crew went aoW"
again and that time they remalheu ue-
low. The whole nine were droWUeu' buI
that did not put an end TO the career
of the David She was once more re-
covered. and an officer, called captain
Dixon. placed in charge. lie calIeu tor
volunteers and bad no difficult In hndlhs
any number of gallant ielloW5 ieauy -
doom themselves with MN 10 uea'n'
Once more the David was equipped.
charge of seventy-fiye pounds OF gun
novvder was carried upon the END OF her
enor tornedo. the apparatus with Whlcn
80 earlier submarine craft were PROVIDED.
Going outside, the David succeeded III
hitting the United States sloop-oi-War'
Itontania and sending that man-of-war
10 the bottom. Victor and vanquished
sank together, and ii was not unul years
after the war that the dead captain anu
crew OF the David were flshed, locked IN
each others arms. out OF the sea
In 1861 the Russians took fancy 70
| that sort Of craft They had a boat at
| Alexandrey, above St. Petersburg, whicn
| they used 10 have towed about upon the
| river for the craft had no special means
| or nropulsion. She did very well until
! one day whilst submerged and travelling
below water, she ran under some logs II
\ floating timber-pond. Fortunately
those on watch alarmed at the non-ap-
pearance within the specified time OF
The craft. discovered the dome damned
between two logs. Men were nasuly SET
10 work to chop and remove the timber
| and the boat came TO the surface IL was
all done in the barest nick OF time' Ioi
the crew were nearly suffocated. NC
more was heard about the craft.
The experience OF the British with SUD
marine-boats is no more encouraging thar
thot az our own civil war. Mr.
Wolseley invited a number OF officials
and specialists down TO one OF the Londoi
docks TO see a new submarine-boat
| which. like 80 many gone before, was &
achieve marvels. There were naval men
and military men. and journalists Their
by the score. Amongst others were tn
present chief-cOnstructor OF the navy
Sir w. II. white, and Lord Charles Beres
ford The craft was warranted "extr'
special safe" She had water-tanks,
false keel that could be slipped OF, an
cylinders or drums which. pushed out @
. drawn In from her sides added or too