The Second Trial of the Platypus.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 223, 17 February 1874, Page 7

The Second Trial of the Platypus.

. Another trial of the submarine boat took ; place on Wednesday afternoon, and it affords | us much pleasure to state that the result was ! an unqualified' success. It will be remembered that in recording the last experiment made we stated that several minor alterations required to he effected, and then doubtless the future trials of the Platypus would he successful. The details having been attended I to, the result, as we anticipated, was all that | could be desired. The trial took place off! the end iff the Pelichet Bay jetty. At three j minutes ..past five, Messrs Villaine, senior j and junior, Mr Harvey, two men to. work the \ pumps, and Mr R. D. Ritchie, a gentleman i who was particularly anxious to witness the! experiment, and who was unavoidably .absent! last Saturday- entered the Platyjm's'! • The j boat was exactly fortv-six minutes in sinking and grounding, and then after a few minutes delay, the bottom was lifted, and without any difficulty the water was kept down, and tjio.se below wore able* to collect specimens! and shells, and any quantity of mud, Mr: Ritchie succeeded in securing .a fishing-line | , and.;,.several.shells, which he/brqmdjjfffip ,tq t the surface with .him as Jus sub-! marine trip. Two messages'were sent up I (fastened, to small pieces of wood), and were! ■kindly.handed to.-.pur representative, who! considers that it will pot be a breach (ff faith to publish them.. They .are as follows: ■ VAI! well below ; wish kind love to Mary.— C; S. HpivfiY;” The other message qiy;),s not quite so’loying in its tone. It wax.:—“ R. ; ■Deans Ritchie;—All well.—February 4th, | 1874. P. S.—Villaine’s compliments to: Mary.” It will, perhaps, be only fair to the | senders of. the billets dou:c, to state that Mary is a facetious young lady who wrote in large i chalk letters on the Platypus before slie was submerged, “Mr Harvey, prepare for the worst. —Marv.” It will thus be seen how anxious Mr-Harvey was to assure Mary that ■the worst had not yet arrived. But to return to the trial It wa‘s exactly 5.43 when these -messages came to the surface, and at 5.50 the 'bottom doors were closed, and preparations made to raise the boat. Owing to the alterations made under the superintendence of Mr Douglas, this was a matter of very little difficulty. The time occupied in expelling sufficient water to raise the boat was fourteen minutes, and the moment she left the ground she popped up like a cork, and at four minutes past, six o’clock the occupants were once more on terra Jirma. Provision had been, made in case the air was foul below to purify it with a quantity of lime water Mr Douglas did not go down this trial trip, because fit was considered more desirable by the Directors that he should remain super 'tmre to discover if possible any leaks in the air chambers, but in this we are glad to say he was unsuccessful. So far as the Platvpns is concerned, everything is a success .—Daily Timis.