One of the prime contenders that was
competing with John Holland in the U.S. was Simon Lake. One of Lakes'
focuses was on getting submarines to submerge and surface while maintaining
an even keel. He felt this was important for submarine safety versus the
angles encountered by John Holland's submarine while performing those functions.
Simon Lake was a prolific submarine
builder. He had been designing and building submarines for salvage and
diver lockout usage as well as submarine warfare for twenty years prior
to this photo. Some of his vessels also had wheels to roll on the bottom.
He envisioned his boats to roll on the bottom into areas that had been
mined and divers exiting through air locks and cutting the mine cables.
Simon
Lake at the con of one of his submarines running partly
submerged
to show depth control.
Note
gun turret with rapid fire gun installed, able to be fired
from
inside the conning tower while partly submerged
This is a Lake submarine under construction
in Bridgeport, CT. in January 1902. Note the man standing in the torpodo
tube door opening.
After construction of the hull Lake built a
superstructure to give walking decks and sea keeping abilities to
the vessel. You can see the framework erected the next photo. Two of the
super -
structure plates are in place. Notice the reverse
bow that was becoming a signature of ship design in the last decade of
the 19th century and early 20th century. Lake placed his 10 foot long and
14 inch wide hydroplanes with in this superstructure. One set just forward
of midships and one set just aft of midships.These helped his vessels rise
and submerge on an even keel.
Photo taken Feb 20, 1902. Note snow on ground.
By time this picture was taken the conning tower had been secured in place.
A detail of the superstructure framing
is shown below.
No specifacations are given for this vessel
Lake's
Protector. Note guards at side of vessel
to
protect the diving planes from damage.
