Her
skin, or plates, having been doubled and strengthened. For Tom
proposed to go to a much greater depth than ever before.
In addition to using the submarine herself in a search for the
gold on the Pandora, Tom had installed on board some new kinds of
diving apparatus and also a diving bell. If one would not serve,
the other might, he reasoned.
"Well, Tom," remarked his aged father the night before they
were to start on the trial trip, "I understand you have
practically rebuilt the Advance."
"Yes; and I think she's a much better craft, too, Father."
"Glad to hear that, Tom. Of course you kept the gyroscope
rudder feature?"
"No, I didn't," replied Tom. "If I had left that installed it
would have meant carrying a smaller diving bell, and I think that
last will be more useful than the gyroscope. I put in a set of
double-acting depth rudders instead."
Mr. Swift shook his head.
"I'm sorry for that, Tom," he remarked. "There's nothing like
the gyroscope rudder in a tight pinch--say when there's a storm.
And for holding the boat steady, if you have to make a sudden
turn under water, to avoid an obstruction you come upon
unexpectedly, a gyroscope can't be improved on.
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