A BALLOON UNDER THE SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6787, 18 August 1883, Page 10 (Supplement)

A BALLOON UNDER THE SEA.

The International Exhibition of Nice is reserving some wonders for the foreigners who may propose to pass a portion o£ the winter of ISS3-S4 upon the borders of the Mediterranean. One of thess wonders is a balloon which its inventor, M. Toselli, cails "the observatory under the sea." It is made of steel and bronze, to enable it to resist the pressure which the water prodaces at a depth of 120 metres. This "observatory under the sea" has a height of eight metres, and is divided into three compartments. The upper apartment is reserved for the ■ commander, to enable him to direct and to watch the working of the observatory, &nd to give to the passengers. the explanations necessary as to the depth of the descent, and what they will see in the dep.hs of the sea. The second apartment, in centre of the machine, is comfortably furnished for passengers to the number of eight, who are so placed that they can see a long distance from the vessel or machine. They have under their feet a glass which enables them to examine at their ease the bottom of the sea, with its fishes, its plants, and. its rocks. The obscurity,being almost complete at 70 metres of. depth, the observatory, will be provided with a powerful electric sun, which sheds light to a great distance in lighting

..these depths. The passengers disposal a telephone, l which; allows'?!* '"eif converse with their friends who hire jf l toon "the steamboat whictg- tO PPe3 . r voyagers-to, such ( places as arc !ith& " v mosit curious in 'the neighbourhood havi) 'alao handy a telegraph Beneath" tho'-'passcngera an apattne v?• reserved for the •'machine, .-which h struofed on natural principles—that is jcssie .ot a fioh,. becoming; heavier M v )lbu ? » .At command/,so as to suable the 'naif-i**-sink or rise at the wish of the'operatji- to> ■