CHAPTER XIII.
THE STRANGEST VESSEL ON THE LAKES.
The newcomers found themselves in a cylindrical-shaped chamber, possibly twenty feet long by twelve feet or so at its widest part. The rivet-studded walls showed that the structure was of metal, but comfortable leather-covered divans were placed along each side, inviting to rest and meditation. Obadiah Ironsides invited his guests to sit on these while he explained his craft.
After he had explained how it was driven by gasoline engines on the surface, and by electrical motors when under water, he conducted them into the engine room. Except for the electrical driving machinery it did not differ radically from that of the luckless Sea Ranger. A striking feature of the machinery, though, was the huge pumps for exhausting the "sinking tanks" of water when the operator of the craft wished to rise, and the appliances for supplying fresh air in quantities when submerged, by the expedient of sucking out the exhausted atmosphere.
"How long could you keep submerged?" inquired Tom.
"For two days, if necessary. I have accomplished that already. Possibly, at a pinch, that time might be lengthened considerably," was the response.
A visit to the forward compartment then followed. This was the space devoted to the torpedo discharging machinery, for, as Obadiah had explained, the primary purpose of the Huron was for warfare. And a formidable craft for that purpose she appeared to be. The interior of the conning tower was next inspected. It was a place of mysterious levers, and wheels of glittering brass and steel. Like the rest of the craft it was lighted by electricity.
On the walls were gauges to show submergence, speed, air-pressure and several others, which were far too technical in their purposes to explain here. A comfortable seat was provided for the steersman, who could control the unique steering apparatus by one hand by means of a lever, or, in case of necessity, by pedals—like those of an automobile. This left his hands free to attend to torpedo discharging and so on.
"In designing this craft," said Obadiah Ironsides, "it has been my aim to provide a craft that was of positively 'one-man control.' It was to try out how far this was feasible that I took my lone trip under the lake to-night."
"And did you find your craft handled all right?" inquired Tom.