SMUGGLERS’ RUSE

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19330, 9 August 1934, Page 2

SMUGGLERS’ RUSE

MINIATURE SUBMARINES. ROOM FOR ONE MAN. Submarines are the latest craft chosen by some of the thousands of smugglers who are making a lucrative living by handling contraband in the canals joining Belgium and Holland. Hitherto the smugglers have been satisfied with aeroplanes, motor boats, lorries, cars,, barges, dogs, horses and even tunnels and rafts. But police vigilance has rendered new methods essential.

The discovery was made at Moerbrugge, on the Bruges-Ghent Canal. M. Debacts, noticing a black object just below the surface of the water, called for help and dragged it ashore. He was astonished to find that it was a miniature submarine, of 1-iOth of an inch thick sheet iron 1 . The submarine was rivetted, soldered, had rubber-filled/ joints, and was In Ihe form of a cigar I Oft 7in long, the diameter at the centre being 2ft 71n There was room for one man, who, in a reclining position, could actuate a forward propeller by means of bicycle pedals. A small cylinder of oxygen was provided, also a system for renewing the air when travelling above the surface. A periscope was also included. It is thought that the smugglers were testing the submarine, and that, on being disturbed, they hastily submerged the craft and secured it to the canal bank, intending to return later.