Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Building the Impossible: The First Submarine

[Michael Holt <mholt@richmond.edu>]

Coalbunny wrote:
> 
> I have given consideration to a bunch of older ships, not just subs.  In
> the sub catagory it starts with De Son's sub of 1653.  An odd design,
> but I feel that it certainly could have worked after simple testing.
> Like placing some kind of a shield or wheel well above the paddle
> wheels.  Would have dragged something fierce, but still would have
> improved the propusion by 500%.

Now that you mention it, I've seen De Son's boat identified as
Drebbel's boat.  One picture even had oars sticking out of the
flat sides.
 
> Gave brief thought to Bushnell's Turtle, but decided it's good only when
> I feel suicidal.

I think the Turtle is suicidal only when it's built to the original
specs.  I considered it to the extent of creating a HUL file of the
hull for construction in wood and glass.  Add real batteries, 
motors and leave that silly mine behind, and one is left with a 
rather strange one-seat shallow-water toy.

By the way, I'm seeing more and more references to a weight on the
Turtle.  It was suspended, I read, 50 feet below the sub, to make
it more stable (presumably).  Seems like a great way to waste more
energy and to anchor the boat without the operator knowing it.
 
> Right now one of my favorites is Fulton's Nautilus.  Now a lot of the
> designs I have considered would be replicated on the exterior only.
> With today's technology it could be replicated both extrenally and
> internally and still be "safe", but I just want to replicate the
> extrerio.  Not just a show piece but something I can use for my own
> enjoyment.

I want to know how well Fulton's sail worked.

> I have considered a number of other subs, such as the Hunley, but feel
> these I mentioned are those I have considered most.

Consider some foreign boats.  The "Peral," the various "Delphins" 
and even Bauer's boats.



Mike