LAUNCH OF THE SUBMARINE BOAT.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 250, 19 December 1873, Page 3

LAUNCH OF THE SUBMARINE BOAT.

This strange specimen of marine architecture was most succesfully launched on Saturday at about U o'clock from the training wall, near the end of the Rattray street jetty, Although a-busy hour of the day, there must have been at least a thousand people present, amongst them being his Honor the Superintendent; Mr. Nancarrow, C E , Government inspector of steamships; Captain Thomson, harbor master; Captain Taschell, of the May Queen; Captain Jenkins, of the Lady Jocelyn ; Messrs. J. Black, J. P.James Mills, M.P.C ; Copeland, Reeves and the following directors of the company for which the boat has been built:—Messrs D. F. Main, James Baxter, George Grant, together with Mr. Douglas, C. E., engineer to the company." On the platform of the boat, which was gaily decorated with flags, were Mr. Villaine, his son (both of whom have had long experience in workboats of the same principle at Home), and two of the crew. The generally expressed opinion amongst the onlookers was that on reaching the water the ungainly machine would capsize (being unaware that she carried about three tons of pia iron as ballast) ; but, on notice being given that all was ready, the r rope which ' held her was cut, and instantly the boat started down the slips, plunged her pointed nose into the water, and floated buoyantly and erect on the surface. As she started, Miss. Agnes Grant, daughter of one of th,e directors, broke a'bottle of chatnpagneagainst and christened the monster- the *•' Platypus " :

—an appropriate name. The steamer Peninsnla then towed her round to the Stuart street jetty, where the finishing touches requisite before h,er submersion will be given. The directors and a numjber of the visitors then adjourned to drink success to the Platypus. Mr. Main gave some in - teresting particulars as. to. the affairs of

the company, He said *haj he thought Re could safely congratulate -the shared holders on the success of I,h.e boat;, for after the. admirable manner, in which she had taken the water he considered the principle well established, and there was not a scintilla, of -doubt as to her being worked above and below wster at the pleasure of her crew. There were some modifications, of the original plan, it being now arranged that a supply of air should be obtained by being pumped into the boa.tthrough. guttapercha tube,.floating

s on the surface of the tvater, jit-tea < uf ■ depending on the supply contained in the . reservoir inside the boat 'lhe paddies , had also been fixed to work the air s pumps, cf winch there were tour, so that i if one or more got out of order a supply of air could still be obtained. In a river where there is any current these wheels will work the pumps ; but it in a place where there is no current, the latter iyill he worked by hand. The boat could be shifted when under water t>« port or starboard, ahead or astern, there bein<r a crab winch inside her by which the in-.-n could haul upon the moorings. He (Air. .Main) had greater confidence in the boat than ever, and hoped and believe! that before long the company would have si fleet of boats' built out of the proceeds <>f the Platypus. It was intended to sink her off Burke's brewery brfore sending her up-country; but before that wa* done it was necefsary that sir.ua few of the shareholders who had not paid up their calls should do so. as the uinctors did not wish to call up more than £2 10s. per share. That would be sufficient to pay all outstanding liabilities (fir which the directors had held themselves responsible), if all paid up. Whni the French war-steai„er Vire was in p.,rt the speaker invited Captain Jacquemart to inspect" the submarine boat, upon seeing which, that gentleman said that there°were a, thousand and more of the same working in France, and that they were also, used by the Russians in raising the vessels, sunk at Cronstaut during the war. Some people sueereJ at the principle of the boat, and said that the tailings in the rivers would bean insuperable obstacle;. but, as a constant supply of air could now. bekept up, any amouiit of tailings could he sluiced. The Pneumatic Tube Company had failed great labor involved by the tailings, and its appliances not* being able to get through any quantity. In conclusion, Air. .Main proposed " Sue-, cess to the Platypus," coupling with tin*, toast the name of Air. Yillaine, whichwas heartily received. Then followed the-health of Air. U.-uglas, the company's; engineer, Mr. Main hearing testimony to. the energy and attention displayed by : him in superintending a most difficultjob—the building of a machine which he. did 4 not understand. Mr. James Copeland proposed the health of Miss Grant, with thanks for her assistance at the ceremony; and Mr. James Mills that of the directors, which was responded to by Mr. Grant, Who said that Mr. Alain was the prime mover in the affair, and to him was due what succes had been or would be attained.—Dunedin ' Evening i.ar.