A SUBMARINE REST-CHAMBER
The Germans have paid a great deal of attention to deep-diving operations, and no doubt while their U-boats were sinking merchant ships German salvors were anticipating rich harvests after hostilities ended. One scheme they developed was a submarine rest-chamber which could be permanently located on the bottom of the sea close to the point where the salvage operations were to take place. This chamber consists of a large steel box which is supplied with air from the surface and in which divers may make themselves comfortable when they need a rest after arduous work. Entrance to the chamber is effected through a door in the floor. The pressure of the air inside prevents the water from rising into the chamber and flooding it. From this submarine base the divers may go out to the wreck, either equipped with the ordinary air-tube helmets or with self-regenerating apparatus which makes them independent of an air-supply for a considerable period of time. When the diver has worked for an hour or two, or when he is tired, he may return to this chamber, remove his helmet, eat a hearty meal, take a nap if he needs it, and then return to the salvage work without going through the exhausting operation of decompressing.