“They can develop more than 1500 horsepower each,” was the reply, “and weigh but very little in comparison with their efficiency. They will drive, or so I figure, the White Shark at twenty-five miles an hour on the surface, and might be made to develop thirty and even more miles per hour if pushed hard.”
“But you can’t go so fast under water,” said Jack.
“No; the resistance is, of course, much greater, but I hope to do twenty miles under the surface of the sea.”
“That will be faster than any submarine has ever gone?”
The question came from Tom.
“Yes, much faster, but then, in constructing the White Shark, I have got far away from the ordinary types of diving craft.”
“What is that long snout at the bow for?” asked Jack.
“That takes the place of a conning tower. It is a sort of telescope through which I can look out while running far under water. Near its end are concealed two small, but very powerful, searchlights that transform the perpetual darkness under the water to almost the light of day.”
“But on the surface,” asked Jack, who had seen submarines before at naval maneuvers, “don’t you use a conning tower?”
“No; we spy out our surroundings by an improved periscope, with the general principles of which I suppose you are familiar.”