The Ordway new era., 1908-06-05

strength. and said to be able to stand
the pressure Of being submerged 300
feet. though 200 Is the official depth
that was required at the Newport
trials.
One of the many novel experiments
that have been planned lies in the cf
fort to determine whether the pres.
ence of dirigibles can be detected by
means of balloons or by dirIGiblcs \
scientist. soon after the Kingston
earthquake. accidentally discovered
that submerged bodies may be more
readily detected from n balloon soar.
ing at great height than from n
ships rail. lie had made an ascent
In balloon for the purpose of gain.
ing comprehensive view OF the ruins
and altered coast line. and then noted
that the further he drew away from
the water the clearer submerged oh.
able TO note the changes which had
taken place in the sea bed.
His report gave hint to our navy
officers. and this knowledge is now
to be applied TO the detection of sub
marines-rather II is to be utilized for
the purpose of determining whether
submarines are as amcnable to deteC.
tion from balloons as are tropical sea
beds
The radius of action of the Octopus
and her type Is about 100 miles from
base. These vessels are equipped for
warfare with two lS-inch torpedo
tubes. Submcrgcncc is accomplished
through the filling of the various bal.
last tanks. which include the forward
and after trimming tanks, n midship
tank. main ballast tank and several
auxiliary ballast tanks which are dis
tributed in various parts of the boat.
The Octopus carries very little re
serve buoyanCy about 500 pounds, and
submerges by pointing the bow down
about eight degrees. using the horizon
tai rudder for this purpose. To main
tain submergence after reaching the
desired depth, the bow remains
pointed down about three degrees.
with slight variations in each boat.
In making ready for diving the boat
is ubNu bg Nii' i'titf ''"'
after having filed the trimming tanks
to the required extent, so as to leave
the amount of positive buoyancy re-
quired, about 500 pounds, the craft Is
in shape for the plunge. As the craft
gains headway the diving rudder is
put down and the vessel dives. The
depth, registered on n scale, is regu-
hn Ji,.ip rIlInr 'In MAIN
tain submergence after arriving at the
proper depth a man has to receive spe-
cial training in operating the diving
rudder.
To return to the surface the amid
shin tank is first blown. This holds
1 600 pounds of water, which is forced
ont under ordinary circumstances In
five seconds by means of compressed
air. Another vital interior feature.
both for breathing purposes and for
motive power is the compressed air
system. The air is stored in series
of 2,OOO-pound TASKS and other lesser
ones The latter are used for firing
torpedoes and for blowing out the
tanks The motive power is n power
full gasoline engine III e"i i|o
ming and an electric motor FOR SUD-
merged running. The speed is from
II to 12 knots on the surface ana
about nine knots when submerged.
One of the features recently IN
stalled is copper signal buoy, 10
inches in diameter. which is arranged
to be readily released from the inside
in case of danger while the boat is
submerged. This rises Immediately
to the surface, indicating the exact
nosition of the craft, and serving as a
distress signal in case OF an accident.
The ball buoy and q reel OF 2oo teet
81 three-sixteenthinch bronze wire are
lncased ON the bridge, just IN 'front.' OF
IA coming tower. in . boxlike COM