SALVAGE BY SUBMARINE.

Much has been heard of the submarine boat iv regard to its applicability to naval 'warfare. An article m the latest Contemporary Review, by Dr Carlo Iberti, deals with the- use of the submarine, not for destruction, but for Hie recovery of 'treasure from the deep. Dr Iberti describes the inventions of an Italian named Pino, who, it is said, is likely to become almost as famous as his countryman, Marconi. It is claimed for Signer Pino's : little submarine that it can accomplish with great case every kind of operation for the salvage or recovery of ships or obects at the bottom of the sea. It has been tested to a depth of over 164 yards, and the inventor, who has descended m it to the .sea bottom at least 140 times, has successfully worked afc a depth of about 140 yards. There is room m the submarine for two persons, who can work m it on the sea bed for twelve hours continuously without needing- to return to the surface for air. The boat '-walks on the sea bed, moving freely on an. ingenious single wheel, propelled by an electricdriven screw," or if desired it will stop and "remain perfectly immovable at any depth m perfect equilibrium, and for any length of time."' Windows of a special crystal are fitted into the boat, by means of which "every object lying m the sea is clearly and distinctly seen from it, at any depth." Even more remarkable, however, is the instrument called a hydroscope, which Signor Pino has invented to aid m recovering sunken treasures. By its use a person standing m an ordinary small boat on the surface of the sea will, we are told, be able — (1) To see clearly and distinctly any object m the water down to the bed of the sea, and practically at any depth; (2) to take clear photographs of whatever he perceives there ; and thus (3) to recover therefrom with. ease and at very small expense anything he likes, however large and heavy it urny be, and at whatever depth it may lie. l)r Iberti believes that by the aid of the lino submarine boat and the hydroscope a vast amount of treasure will ere long be brought to tin', surface. To emphasise the importance of the invention, he recalls, amongst other instances, the wreck of the transatlantic steamer Bourgoyne, which caused a loss of 24,000,000 francs, and contained 16,000,000 francs m zinc ; the steamer sunk off the coast of Holland, with gold to the value of 27,000.000 francs ; the worship Black Prince, wrecked during the Crimean War m the Bay of Balaclava, with 40,000.000 francs ; and "the vessel dashed to pieces m the Straits of Magellan, with ingots to the value of 625,000,000 francs. In view of the enormous fortune to be won from the sea. it will be. interesting to learn what measure of success attends the future experiments with these inventions which Dr Iberti so confidently heralds. .