The Story of Great InventionsBurns, Elmer Ellsworth
History
The Story of Great Inventions
Burns, Elmer Ellsworth
Inventions -- History
Most submarines use a gasolene motor for surface travel, and an electric
motor run by a storage battery for navigation below the surface. The
best submarines can travel at the surface like an ordinary boat, or
"awash"--that is, just below the surface--with only the conning tower
projecting above the water, or they can travel completely submerged.
The rising and sinking of the submarine depend on the principle of
Archimedes. The upward push of the water is just equal to the weight of
the water displaced. If the water displaced weighs more than the boat,
then the upward push of the water is greater than the weight of the boat
and the boat rises. However, the boat can be made to dive when its
weight is just a little less than the weight of the water displaced.
This is done by means of horizontal rudders which may be inclined so as
to cause the boat to glide downward as its propeller drives it forward.
The magnetic compass is not reliable in a submarine with a hull made of
steel. The electric motor used for propelling the boat under water also
interferes with the action of the compass, because of its magnetic
field. The gyroscope, which we shall describe later, is not affected by
magnetic action, and may take the place of the compass.
Water ballast is used, and when the submarine wishes to dive, water is
admitted into the tanks until the boat is nearly heavy enough to sink of
its own weight. It is then guided downward by the horizontal rudder. The
submarine is driven by a screw propeller, and some submarines are
lowered by means of a vertical screw. Just as a horizontal screw propels
a vessel forward, so a vertical screw will propel it downward. When the
submarine wishes to rise, it may do so by the action of its rudder, or
the water may be pumped out of its tanks, when the water will raise it
rapidly. A submarine which is kept always a little lighter than water
will rise to the surface in case of accident to its machinery. Figs. 99,
100, and 101 are from photographs of United States submarines.
[Illustration: FIG. 99--THE "PLUNGER"
Photo by Pictorial News Co.]
[Illustration: FIG. 100--U. S. SUBMARINE "SHARK" READY FOR A DIVE
Photo by Pictorial News Co.]
[Illustration: FIG. 101--FIRST SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTED IN UNITED STATES.
IT WENT TO THE BOTTOM WITH SEVEN MEN, WHO WERE DROWNED
Photo by Pictorial News Co.]
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