THE PLATYPUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 328, 7 February 1874, Page 3

THE PLATYPUS.

(From the " Otago Daily Times.")

Another trial of the submarine boat took placeon Wednesday afternoon, anditaffbrdsus much pleasure to state that the result was an unqualified success. It will be remembered that in recording the last experement made, we stated that several minor alterations required to be effected, and then doubtless the future trials of the Platypus wonld be successful. Those details having been attended to. the result as we anticipated, was all that could be desired. The trial took place off the end of the Pelichst Bay jetty. At three minutes past fiva, Messrs Yillaine, senior and junior, Mr. Har. vey, two men to work the pumps, and MrR. D. Ritchie, a gentleman who was particularly anxious to witness the experiment, and who was unavoidably absent last Saturday —entered the Platypus. The boat was exactly forty-six minutes in sinking and grounding, and' then after a few minutes delay, the bottom was lifted, Rnd without any difficulty whatever the water was kept down, and those below were able to collect specimens of shells, and any quantity of mud. Mr, Ritchie succeeded in securing a fishing line and several shells,- which ne brought up to the surface with him as mementos of his submarine .trip. Two messages were sent up

(fastened to small pieces of wood,) and were kindly handed to our representative, who considers that it will not be a breach of faith to publish them. They are as follows :—: — " All well below ; wish kind love to Mary. — O.S. HarvSy." The other message was not quite.so loving in its tone. It was :— " B. Deans KitcHir.— All well. — Febuary4th, 1874 P.S.— VilLune's compliments to Mary." It will, perhaps, be only fairto|she .senders of these billets down, to state tfliatMary is a facetious, youny lady who wrote in^ large chalk letters on the Platypus before she was submerged, "Mr Harvey, prepare for the worst.— Mary." It will thus be seen how j anxious Mr. Harvey was to assure Mary that the worst had not yet. arrived. But to j return to the trial. It was exactly 5.43 when these messages came to the surface, and at 550 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 occuried in expelling sufficient water to raise the boat was 14 minutes, and the moment she left the ground she popped up like a cork, and at four minutes past six o'c'ock the occupants were once more on terra fermo. Provision had been made in case the air was fouf below to purify it with a quantity of lime water. Mr. Douglas did not go down this trial trip, because it was considered more desirable by the Directors that he should remain svper mare to discover if possible any leaks in air chambers, but in this we are glad to say he was unsuccessful. So far as the Platypus is. concerned, everything is a success.