New Britain herald., 1924-12-15


 heard on a bell 4 siren blew and the boat stopped. Then she began to roll, and as she rolled there was noticed slight diving motion, barely pereeptible. Had they not been told, the guests would not have known that the boat was submerg- ing
 l Those who were fortunate enough to be within view of the depth gauge, got a real thrill as they watched the indicator point to TO- lo-20-25 feet, then stop waver, go back to 20, then jump to 25, to so, back to 25, then to 35--filckor and hesitate and finally come to a rest at S7. The waVering was caused, chief electrician announced, by the houyancy of the boat. It being kept near enough to the surface so as to occasion no nervousness. There was no physical sensation, except q slight tendency on the part of one or two to show signs of seasickness The air was found to be pure. al. though on one boat there were 4s men and on the other 49, counting tho crew.
 But there was still another thrill In store. The big periscopes were run up and tho visitors from a depth of S7 feet under water inspccted inc shore line, saw a few boats on ,bc water and then were treated to n view of Fort Wright on Fishers Island.
 Returning 10 the port the visitors cllmhed up through the tube. walked a narrow gang plank resembling Il l chicken ladder" to the wharf and were met by other officials where, With the captains of the boats upon which they had been guests acting as guides and lecturers as well AS hosts they were taken through the grounds.
 A long line Of S. N and o-boats were seen, No U-boats were in evI- dence, but tug No. 39, a craft which dld noble service during the World war in sweeping the North Sea free or German mines, was an interest. Ing sight Tugs drawing large fiat 1 boats upon which were mounted heaVy cranes were seen. A life boat one end crushed in, a mute taIe or stormy day, lay alongside an S-boat.
 The trip through the buildings was almost as Interesting as the in spectlon of the boats. In the tor pedo shop, the mechanism of this engine Of war, was demonstrated A torpedo was taken apart and it's internal machinery exposed to view. Expert mechanics explained its operation, electric switches were thrown on and the propellers on torpcdoes were operated as the ex- planation proceeded. How they can De aimed accurately to hit a target after making 45-dcgree turn in the water was explained as well as now they can cut through steel nets without exploding. One of the req sons, besides that of expense, why these immense projectilos are not loaded when fired in peace time target practice was understood rather forcibly when torpedo vas shown with its nose fattened. II had not gone as il should have gone when discharged from the tube and had crashed into another boat. The boat did not suffer, thanks to the lack of explosive, but the torpedo resembled q metal tube constructed on the general outlines of an &C., cordion which was slightly lop- sided.
 A trip was made through the electrical department. where the va rious type of motors and batteries were seen. Then 10 the engine shop where Diesel engines were demon strated. Here treat was in store for the men who were interested in those engines, Cast iron castings had been cut 80 as to show the in- tertor of engines as they operated. A large oil burning engine taken from a German U-boat during the war and set up for study, attracted much interest. Machine shops, stores and supply shops were in- spected and the visitors left shortly before dark Saturday afternoon ar irving home between and : o'clock Saturday evening, loud in their ex- pressions Of pleasure at the cour- tosy and hospitality shown by the captains, iieutenants and their sub ordinate officials at the submarine base.