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Skip · 05-19-2005, 08:14 AM

OK, I'll have to don my old submarine patrol cap and dive into this thread...

Actually there are three terms in use here that are really not interchangeable, as they describe three unique undersea vessels.

A submarine is a vessel that while designed to operate underwater, also has substantial abilities to navigate while surfaced.

A bathyscape (or bathyscapth) is an undersea vessel, usually designed for deep water exploration, that operates underwater independently via self propelled operation.

A bathysphere (or what used to be called a diving bell) is an undersea vessel that is tethered to the surface by cables. These cables are not only used to raise and lower the device, but may also provide electrical power, oxygen and communication lines. The device may have small thrusters for limited maneuvering, but is still tethered from above.

The spherical design of the device pictured leads me to believe it is a bathyssphere, as no propulsion device is apparent. It would be easier to determine if a shot of the rear (or side view) of the object was provided.

Neat picture!

05-19-2005, 08:14 AM	#28
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Dive,dive,dive..... OK, I'll have to don my old submarine patrol cap and dive into this thread... Actually there are three terms in use here that are really not interchangeable, as they describe three unique undersea vessels. A submarine is a vessel that while designed to operate underwater, also has substantial abilities to navigate while surfaced. A bathyscape (or bathyscapth) is an undersea vessel, usually designed for deep water exploration, that operates underwater independently via self propelled operation. A bathysphere (or what used to be called a diving bell) is an undersea vessel that is tethered to the surface by cables. These cables are not only used to raise and lower the device, but may also provide electrical power, oxygen and communication lines. The device may have small thrusters for limited maneuvering, but is still tethered from above. The spherical design of the device pictured leads me to believe it is a bathyssphere, as no propulsion device is apparent. It would be easier to determine if a shot of the rear (or side view) of the object was provided. Neat picture!