* * * What a beautiful vision, that of traversing the ocean,
as a balloon floats through the air, with the same tranquillity,
without shocks, without the insupportable rolling and pitching!" etc.
The construction of the invention introduced in this glowing manner
will be understood from Figs. 1 and 2. A is the plunger cylinder,
shown with its side broken away in Fig. 2. In Fig. 1, G is the rudder,
H the propeller, and I the tube through which sea water passes to the
pump. In Fig. 2, C is the smokestack, M M are compartments in which
water may be admitted to increase the weight, and hence the depth of
flotation of the plunger, the same being filled or emptied by the
pump, P. N is the hold for merchandise, partitioned off from the
boiler room as shown.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.--TOMMASI'S HEMI-PLUNGER]
[Illustration: Fig. 2.--THE HEMI-PLUNGER, THE SUBMERGED PORTION]
From the plunger, A, rise two hollow columns, E, to which metallic
plates, F, are attached to diminish friction through the water. These
support the upper division or platform, B. The second shaft (not
lettered), which rises above the platform in Fig. 1, serves to
ventilate the plunger. The columns, E, serve as shoots down which
merchandise is lowered to the compartments, N; and their upper ends
are received in two immense inverted cups attached to the bottom of
the part, B.
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