Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] RE:Sub Parts

["Captain Nemo" <vulcania@interpac.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Buchner" <buchner@wcta.net>

"...Oh, now I've read the rest of the new mail, and perhaps you're referring
to that stuff about the ambient-pressure thing which you couldn't get to
level off because the separate chambers weren't valved."

Yep, that was basically what I was talking about.  There's a propane tank
sub we've probably all seen; it's said to have been operated successfully;
but when I look at the ballast system (unvalved hoses hanging from the ends
of long cylindrical tanks) I see the same "attitude problem" I experienced
with my early design, and I just don't see how the thing could have worked,
unless they somehow managed to keep it perfectly level (which you can't
always gaurantee is going to be possible).  From what I could see of the
ballast system on this boat, it would fail if it pitched up or down very
much at all.  Little "non-obvious" things like that can spoil your day,

"In that case, let me ask you another question I've been curious about:
Where did the pressure vessel for your Nautilus come from?"

I lucked out and chanced upon it in the boatyard of a maritime contractor.
He said it had been built for deep sea use by the U.S. Government, but
exactly what that use was I couldn't say.  He did say it was designed to
withstand considerable depth, though; which is why I initially thought it
might make a good basis for a submarine hull.

Very best regards,

Pat Regan
vulcania@interpac.net