TALPA MARINA.
In Naples, scientific and naval circles are at this moment greatly interested with the experiments made with a new diving apparatus, of special construction, called by its inventor, aM. Toselli, the “talpa marina,” or sea mole. At the first trial made with the apparatus, in the Bay of Naples, the bottom of the sea was reached at the depth of seventy or eighty metres, from which position the inventor wrote the subjoined very interesting letter to Professor Palmieri, of the Observatory at Vesuvius So varied and strange are the sensations which I experienced at this moment that, unless 1 jot them down as I come, I shall never be able to recall them to my mind. First of all, the water down here is not like water, but seems rather a solid mass of glass, compact, motionless, transparent and sufficiently luminiousto enable one to read and write. At one time the bottom of the sea appeared to be rushing up to me, then to stop, and afterwards to withdraw from. me. For an instant I suspected that something was the matter with my eyes, but glances at the pressure guage at once removed my uneasiness by revealing the cause of the phenomenon. When the bottom of the sea appeared to rise against me 1 was sinking rapidly ; when it remained motionless I was not moving ; when it seemed to give way, and to fall from me, I was rising. In this therefore, there is nothing extraordinary. It is delightful to see the fishes coming and going every moment, in all directions, and to enjoy this enrious spectacle without the slightest inconvenience. The- utter silence that prevails down here might be'considered terrible by some, but I feel perfectly easy, and find even a certain pleasure in breathing in this state. The barometer shows a pressure of 81 centimetres; the hydrometer marks 85 degrees ; my inside thermometer 26 degrees, that on the outside 25 only. The sea-preasure guage shows a depth of 70 metres, and the air-(mage still gives two atmospheres. From this 1 conclude that I Have air enough to remain below four hours longer, if I tliink fit, without the slightest fear. With the exception of the door, which opens and shuts too slowly, every part of my apparatus answers the purpose for which it was intended. I cannot find words to describe the joy I feel at the successful results of this first attempt. This pleasure will be shared by yourself and by the distinguished gentlemen who have honored me by their presence, thus generously rewarding me for what I have undergone. Your most devoted, J. B. Toselli.—From the bottom of the Bay of Naples, August 20.” The talpa, as far as can he learnt from imperfect descriptions given of it by the Italian press, is a cylinder 4 metres long, and 1.10 metres in .diameter. The cylinder contains four compartments, one above the other. The uppermost is the receptacle of compressed air, in quantity sufficient, it isi said, forjtifty hours, supposing the occupants ©f the talpa to bo only two. The second compartment is the diver’s work-ing-room, duly provided with boring and other tools which he may require, and which by a simple mechanical arrangement, are shot out as occasion may require, the diver working them from the inside of his castle. The third division can be distended or shrunk, “like a fish’s swimming bladder.” The fourth and last compartment is for the leaden weights required to steady the cylinder and keep it upright. Composed of its present material, the sea mole can be used with impunity to. a kepth of 100 metres. [A metre is about 3ft. 3&in.]
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18720123.2.16
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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2787, 23 January 1872, Page 3
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613TALPA MARINA. Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2787, 23 January 1872, Page 3
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