The history of our Navy from its origin to the present day, 1775-1897, vol. 1 (of 4)Spears, John Randolph
History
The history of our Navy from its origin to the present day, 1775-1897, vol. 1 (of 4)
Spears, John Randolph
United States. Navy -- History; United States. Navy -- History -- Spanish-American War, 1898
“A rudder to the hinder part of the vessel, which commanded it with
the greatest ease, was made very elastic, and might be used for
rowing forward. The tiller was within the vessel, at the operator’s
right hand, fixed at a right angle on an iron rod which passed
through the vessel.
“A compass marked with phosphorus directed the course above and under
water.
“The internal shape of the vessel, in every possible section of it,
verged toward an ellipsis, as near as the design would allow; but
every horizontal section, although elliptical, was yet as near to a
circle as could be admitted.
“The body of the vessel was made exceedingly strong; a firm piece of
wood was framed parallel to the conjugate diameter, to prevent the
sides from yielding to the great pressure of the incumbent water in a
deep immersion. This piece of wood was also a seat for the operator.
“Every opening was well secured. The pumps had two sets of valves.
The aperture at the bottom for admitting water was covered with a
plate perforated full of holes, to receive the water and prevent
anything from closing the passage or stopping the valve from
shutting. The brass valve might likewise be forced into its place
with a screw. The air-pipes had a kind of hollow sphere fixed round
the top of each, to secure the air-pipe valves from injury. These
hollow spheres were perforated full of holes for the passage of air
through the pipes; within the air-pipes were shutters to secure them,
should any accident happen to the pipes or the valves on their tops.
All the joints were exactly made, and were water-tight.
“Particular attention was given to bring every part necessary to
performing the operation, both within and without the vessel, before
the operator, so that everything might be found in the dark. Nothing
required the operator to turn to the right hand or the left.
“DESCRIPTION OF A MAGAZINE AND ITS APPENDAGES DESIGNED TO BE
CONVEYED BY THE SUBMARINE VESSEL TO THE BOTTOM OF A SHIP.
“In the fore part of the brim of the crown of the vessel was a
socket, and an iron tube passing through the socket; the tube stood
upright, and could slide up and down six inches. At the top of the
tube was a wood-screw, fixed by means of a rod, which passed through
the tube and screwed the wood-screw fast upon the top of the tube. By
pushing the wood-screw up against the bottom of a ship, and turning
it at the same time, it would enter the planks. When the wood-screw
was firmly fixed, it could be cast off by unscrewing the rod which
fastened it upon the top of the tube.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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