Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-24
important Nelv Devices 4
Adopted BY the u. 5.
Government TO Enable
Creuvs ofDisabLed Under
Sea Boats TO Get Out
of the Death Trap

cINCE me sad disaster OF our sub
marine "a off the harbor OF Homo
~ lulu the Navy Department has per-
fected a device which In many cases
would enable the crew of a sunken sub
marine to get away safely to the surface
OF the ocean. This consists of an escape
compartment in combination with pro-
tective garment. called a submarine es-
cape dress"
The escape compartment" consists OF
a small chamber in the bow of all our
submarines now under construction and
to be built This compartment is con-
trived on the principle OF the diving bell
the pressure of air inside being made to
balance the pressure Of water outside.
Thus. when the escape door" is opened,
permitting egress from the submarine, In :
a manner TO be described, the sea will
not enter and the men can step out.
As might we'll be imagined, they could
not do this with any sort OF safety-espe-
cially in a great depth of water-unless
equipped with special iie-saving appar-
atus. Accordingly, they will mt on, when
seeking escape by such means, the "es-
cape dress"-a costume somewhat re-
semblng a divers dress. but differing
from the latter in certain very important
particulars.
The Navy Department has been work
ing on this escape dress" problem for
long time past, and the apparatus shown
In the accompanying pictures is its
choice Experiments with it have proved
that the wearer can remain under water
for an hour without drowning. being pro-
vided with the requisite oxygen for
breathing purposes. This. indeed, is the
most imp6rtant'- point in which. tho!
equipment differs from that of a diver.
The latter gets his supply OF fresh air
through a rubber tube communicating
with the surface Of the water; but. or
course, the man escaping from sub.
marine enjoys no such facilities, and
must carry his breathing Convenicnces
with him. These consist mainly OF
steel fash OF oxygen and another steel
flask Of potash--thc latter 10 absorb the
carbonic acid from the expired air.
II will he understood that, in order 10
enable the man 10 breathe, it is not nee
essary that he shall he supplied with
large quantities Of air. He can breathe
the same air over and over again for an
indefinite time, If its excess OF carbonic
acid be removed and lis oxygen be re-
placed Tho oxygen is provided in the
form OF a solid peroxide OF sodium. the
flask. packed with the peroxide. serves
as generator.
The garment proper consists of rub
be- coat made sweaier-iashon, with a
meta! head-p!cce attached. In front Of
the head-niecc is Il small round window
through which The wcarcr can look. Be
meath The rubber coat is cork Jacket;
and the bel, that secures the coat about
the wa!s' is furnished with hooks. upon
which arc hung heavy lcadcn weights.
Suppose a case where something goes
wrong with Tho Internal mechanism OF a
submarine When II is sought TO bring
her TO the surface. She falls TO respond
The situation is desperate; there Is
nothing 10 q but 10 Try to save the lives
OF those aboard. Hitherto there has been
scarcely any practicable means o! accom-.
p!ishing this, the boat has been an iron
coffin for her crew On one occasion
because it was the only chance young
American naval officer. Kenneth Whit
ing. was blown out OF submarine
through torpedo tube. aud lived TO tel
the tale.
Bnt the diving compartment solves ,hi.
problem. 4 man clad in the safety COS
tune above Described steps INTO tn,
chamber and closes the door behind hi.
Then turning Il lever he Ellis the cham
be. with sufficient compressed air 1,
keep out the water winch would othc,
wise enter when the scadoor Wa
opened. lie ,hcn opens the door 10 ,l,
water, and the COMPRESSED air force
rinl out intoit The door is then close,
b. mechanical means and the watc