Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-06-05

strength, and said to be able to stand
the pressure Of being submerged 800
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 ef-
fort to determine whether the pres
ence of dIrigibles can be detected by
means OF balloons or by dirieibles. A
scientist. soon after the Kingston
earthquake. accidentally discovered
that submerged bodies may be more
readily detected from n. balloon soar.
ing ut n great height than from
ships rail. He had made an ascent
in balloon for the purpose OF gain
ing n comprehensive view OF the ruins
and altered coast line. and then noted
that the further he drew away from
the water the clearer submerged OBJ
jects became. In this way he waa
able to note the changes which had
taken place In the sea bed.
His report gave a hint to our navy
officers. and this knowledge is now
to be applied to the detection OF sub
marines-rather It is to be utilized for
the purpose Of determining whether
submarines are as amenable 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 1S-inch torpedo
tubes. Submergence is accomplished
q, h, Nf tha I,n
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 trimmed down by the head. and
after having filled 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 a scale. is regu-
lated by the diving rudder. To 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
ship tank is first blown. This holds
1000 pounds Of water. which is forced
out 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 a 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 a power
full gasoline engine. for surface run
ming and an electric motor for SUBJ
merged running. The speed is from
IL to IL knots on the surface and
about nine knots when submerged.
One Of the features recently in
stalled is a copper signal buoy, Is
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
position of the craft, and serving as a
distress signal in case Of an accident.
The ball buoy and reel Of 200 feet
Of three-sixteenth-inch bronze wire are
incased on the bridge. Just in front of
the coming tower. in q boxlike COM
partment