The newspaper published an item dealing with the launching of a French submarine at Toulon. According to the newsitem it was a new invention, namely a submarine which was able to dive below the bottom of an ironclad. With special equipment a charge explosives were added to the hull of the ironclad. Using a dread of steel, it became possible to explode the charge from the distance. Her dimensions were 17 x 1,80m (amidships) and she was able to manoeuvre horizontal and vertical using reservoirs for water (for diving) and compressed air (for rising). Her crew consisted of an officer, 2 engineers and 1 sailor. She was equipped with an electric engine of 50 hp. An expanded viewing device with glass in all sides allowed the officer to look outside the submarine.
Sources
Goessche Courant
www.marineschepen.nl She was built by Goubert and Gustave Zédé in 1888 at Toulon.
www.britannica.com Built by Gustave Zédé. Driven by an electric motor, ‘extremely manoeuvrable but tended to go out of control when it dived.’
J. Vichot. Répertoire des navires de guerre francais. Paris, 1967. On stocks 1887, launched 1888, lastmentioned 1911, designed by Dupuy de Lome.
www.en.wikepedia.org. Displacement 30-33 tons, 17,8m length, speed surfaced 7,3 knots, submerged 4,3 knots, crew numbered 5 men. She had a steel single hull. Fitted out with 2-355mm torpedoes. Mentioned as being built by Gustave Zédé and Arthur Krebs; the latter responsible for the electric engine. Launched 24 September 1888. Decommissioned 1908 and scrapped.
www.battleship-cruiser.ok.uk Stricken in 1909. In 1898 rebuilt and fitted out with a raised conning tower’.
The news item in the Dutch newspaper in 1888 already referred to an expanded ‘viewing device. After being sunk in a dock at Toulon 19 June 1907 she was refloated and apparently a year later stricken.
www.jv.gilead.org.il Ordered 1886.
