THE SUBMARINE BOAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 327, 4 February 1874, Page 3

THE SUBMARINE BOAT.

On Saturday the submarine boat Platypus was shifted from where she has for some time been moored, between the jetty and Pclichel Bay Baths, to undergo another trial. At 2 p.m. she was taken in tow by the s.s. Result (Capfain Deusen). There was quite a gale blowing at the time, and only the tops of the paddle-boxes and dome, or air-locked chamber, were visible above water, the sea breaking over as it would over a sunken rock. Now and again two amphibious-looking individuals were seen on what may be cnlle.l the hurricane deck, apparently quiie in their element, and steering the Platypus to the, at the time, socalled ilag-ship — the vessel, Edinburgh — moored in the deepest part of the Upper Harbor ; gaily decorated with bunting, and furnished by" Host Bennett with refreshing beverages. The Platypus, being safely moored astern "of the Edinburgh, awaited the arrival of the Result, which made several trips to her with passengers from the Stuart-street Jetty, and ultimately succeeded in crowding the Edinburgh's deck with a decidedly genial population. Amongst those present were Messrs. D. F. Main (Chairman of the Board), Harvey, Grant, and Baxter, directors ; H. S. Fish, junr., T. Birch, and Robin. At about halfpast 3 o'clock, a crew of four occupied the Platypus, together with Mr. Villaine, senr., or to put it nautically, Villaine, senr., captain; Villaine, junr. ; Mr. Harvey j and Mr. W. R. Douglas, directors' consulting engineer, the presence of the latter gentleman being necessary as inspector of the work, particularly as regarded air-pumps, flanges, &c. The pumps having to be worked by hand, in the absence of sufficient current to work the side wheels, involved the presence of four air-consuming individuals, whose presence would not have been required had the vessel been at work in the Molyneux, for which work she was specially designed. The extra quantity of air required for seven instead of three, and a slight leak in the air-lock door, prevented there being obtained a sufficient pressure to enable her to rise to the surface as buoyantly as on a former occasion, and necessitated the involuntary imprisonment for four hours of the inmates. Not the least inconvenience, however, was experienced, but proof was thereby given of what has before been frequently affirmed — that a shift of eight hours per man can be made without inconvenience. In this case the half-time test was satisfactory, and during a great part of the period that the Platypus was beneath the waves Messrs. Harvey anl Douglas whiled away the time by some g6od play at domuiofes, the director getting the best of the contest. On ascending the Platypus abfolutelv refused to rise the three inches necessary to allow of the opening os the door, and, as by this time the night was advancing, it was deemed advisable to remove the vessel to her mooring at Pelichet Bay. She was consequently taken in tow by the steamer, and grounded off the jetty. The passengers were safely landed, but one of the crew of the Platypus did not reach the shore until, by accident, he had nearly disappeared beneath the water's surface, but was soon rescued from what many regarded as a perilous position. It is understood, from the report of their engineer, that the directors arc now more sanguine than ever as to the soundness of the principle connected with the Platypus — some trifling alterations, such as caulking a few faulty joints and rivets, and aidilional force-pump of increased power for takiug in, or forcing out, the water necessary to sink or raise her more rapidly, being required before sending her up country. O nthe whole, however, the work has been most successfully executed, and is therefore highly creditable to those engaged in its completion. The hull was made by Messrs. Sparrow and Thomas ; the pumps and air-lock, by Messrs. Fraser, Wishart, and Buchanan ; the fittings, stays, 4c., by Messrs. Wilson and Sparrow ; and the copper pipes, valves, &c, by Messrs. A. and T. Burt. The Platypus will undoubtedly be well adapted for extracting hidden golden treasures, and it ha* also been suggested that she might be randered of service in connection with defence operations, in the laying, for instance, of torpedoes at the entrance to the harbour. The following is a brief description of the Platypus . — Weight, about 20 tons ; length, overall, 35ft.; diameter, 7ft.; a large dome and air-lock, sft. by 3ft. Gin.; one paddle shaft, Sin. diameter, passing through stuffing-boxes on each side of the vessel ; and paddles, or two under-current water-wheels, keyed on each side, and protected by air-tight boxes. Tho upper portions of the wheels revolve in air, and the lower in water, giving motion to four air-pumps fitted inside, worked by excentries, and arranged so that they can be connected or

disconnected at pleasure. Then there are a great number of air-valves. Next to the airpumps are the water force-pumps for raising or lowering the vessel. A common plumber's force-pump for forcing water to private dwellings is used, aud a large number of valves and taps are attached, leading to and from the pumps to the side of the vessel, besides other contrivances of a character which present to the uninitiated a very complicated appearance. " Guardian."'