Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] concrete Submersible ?

[MarkR1970@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/18/2002 6:06:24 PM Central Standard Time, 
marko.thiele@gmx.de writes:

<< does anyone of you know if anyone has ever attempted to build a 
Submersible,
 Submarine or similar out of concrete ?
 (yes, I mean indeed this rock like material) >>

Marko,
   I read a magazine article several years ago about submarines constructed 
mainly from concrete. I think it was in Popular Science or Popular Mechanics 
or other similar publication. It's been several years ago so I don't remember 
a lot about what it said. I do remember it was concerning countries like Iraq 
building such submarines because they were very cheap to build compared to a 
regular sub, they could dive to insane depths and withstand the pressures, 
and they were nearly impossible to distinguish from the ocean floor with 
sonar when bottomed. About the only other thing I remember is that they 
didn't use any ballast tank system but instead used massive vertical 
thrusters to control depth and to surface. 
  Interesting topic but I don't think I'd run out and try to build one.
Thanks,
Mark