JF Ptak Science Books  Quick Post

In the same year as the British and American first appearances of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea there appeared in the pages of Scientific American this short article on a not-very-Victorian submarine exploring platform. Published in the April 19, 1873 issue was an illustrated (by cross-section) note on a  type of diving bell created by M. de Toselli:

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It is explained to us that the living compartment (C) holds a number of instruments and machines: there is a pump (P) for drawing and evacuating water (in compartment B) for the raising and lowering of the craft (there is also a layer of lead in compartment A for weighing down the vehicle); there are also two manometers (M and N), a telegraph (Q), and of course, a seat (Z); the top section (F) is for storing breathable air; (U) is a hatch for entering and exiting; and (R) is a rope/cable that connects the thing to a ship, and which also contains the telegraph cable. The text said that there are “small windows” but I can’t find them.  In any event this was intended as a scientific platform for research, including photography.