SUBMARINE MOTOR CAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10956, 22 December 1911, Page 6

SUBMARINE MOTOR CAR.

The design for a novel vessel which i is practically a motor car designed I either to float or run on the bottom of the sea, is attracting the attention of those interested in salvage opera- . tions and pearl fisheries. The invention is the work of E. H. Crosslcy. Mr Crossley's plans show a steel barrel fifteen feet long by six feet in diameter, fitted with wheels which will enable it to be driven along the floor of the sea, and a, propeller, which will, drive it through the water. It has glazed portholes that will enable the men inside to see in every direction, aiid a double bottom, which, when the crew wish to sink the vessel, they can fill with sea water by means of a hand pump. Two air tubes are attached. Through one of them fresh air .can be pumped by the salvage vessel above, while foul air can be drawn up through the other. But the strangest features of the craft are several steel rods with ends shaped something like human hands, which'project in various directions. These, by an ingenious contrivance, are worked from within the barrel, so that they can be turned at various angles and pick up anything from the bottom of the sea. Other rods are fitted 1 with drills designed to bore through rock or armour.