human
Why, no, lieutenant, he said, with a sickly smile.
gpt
It is all strange and new to us. We were waiting for you. But I have become slightly interested in this-- He indicated a circular window, fixed in the steel side of the boat.
human
Isn't it a new feature in submarines?
gpt
Yes, it is, answered Ross.
human
But it has long been known that glass will stand a stress equal to that of steel, so they've given us deadlights. See the side of the ship out there? We can see objects about twenty feet away near the surface. Deeper down it is darker.
gpt
And I suppose you see some interesting sights under water,
human
Yes, very interesting--and some very harrowing. I saw a man drowning not long ago. We were powerless to help him.
gpt
Heavens, what a sight! exclaimed Foster.
human
The expression on his face must have been tragic.
gpt
Pitiful--the most pitiful I ever looked at. He seemed to be calling to us. Such agony and despair; but it did not last long.
human
But while it _did_ last--did you have a camera? What a chance for a photographer! That is my line, you know. Did ever a photographer get a chance to photograph the expression on the face of a drowning man? What a picture it would be?
gpt
Don't, said the girl, with a shudder.
human
For mercy's sake, do not speak of such things.
gpt
I beg your pardon, Miss Fleming, said Ross, gently.
human
It was very tactless in me.
gpt
And I, Miss Fleming, said Foster, with a bow,
human
Sorry, Mr. Foster, answered Ross, coldly.
gpt
We do all sorts of things to men in the navy, but we don't drown them for the sake of their pictures. Suppose I show you around, for at two bells the men will be back from their dinner. Now, aft here, is the gasoline engine, which we use to propel the boat on the surface. We can't use it submerged, however, on account of the exhaust; so, for under-water work, we use a strong storage battery to work a motor. You see the motor back there, and under this deck is the storage battery--large jars of sulphuric acid and lead. It is a bad combination if salt water floods it.
human
How? What happens?
gpt
Battery gas, or, in chemical terms, chlorine gas is formed. It is one of the most poisonous and suffocating of all gases. That is the real danger in submarine boats--suffocation from chlorine. It will remain so until we get a better form of motive power, liquid or compressed air, perhaps. And here --Ross led them to a valve wheel amidships--
human
What's it for?
gpt
To sink the boat in case of fire. It's an inheritance from steamboats--pure precedent--and useless, for a submarine cannot catch fire. Why, a few turns of that wheel when in the awash trim would admit enough water in two minutes to sink the boat. I've applied for permission to abolish it.
human
Two minutes, you say. Does it turn easy? Would it be possible to accidentally turn it?
gpt
Very easy, and very possible. I caution my men every day.
human
And in case you do sink, and do not immediately suffocate, how do you rise?
gpt
By pumping out the water. There's a strong pump connected with that motor aft there, that will force out water against the pressure of the sea at fifty fathoms down. That is ten atmospheres--pretty hard pressure. But, if the motor gets wet, it is useless to work the pump; so, we can be satisfied that, if we sink by means of the sea cock, we stay sunk. There is a hand pump, to use on the surface with dead batteries, but it is useless at any great depth.
human
What do you mean by the awash trim, lieutenant?
gpt
The diving trim--that is, submerged all but the conning-tower. I'll show you, so that you can say that you have really been under water.
human
You are not going to sink the boat, are you, Mr. Ross?
gpt
Oh, no, just filling the tanks. When full, we still have three hundred pounds reserve buoyancy, and would have to go ahead and steer down. But we won't go ahead. Come forward, and I'll show you the torpedo-tube.