I saw an underwater tractor!!!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,338]

Some of you know that I work on a Naval Submarine Base in Connecticut, and today I saw the coolest thing on the base. In the lobby of one of the buildings I work in there is a small mock up of the USS Holland. Its an old submarine. I've seen it hundreds of times and only glance at it when I enter or exit the building. Yesterday I had a meeting with contractors and was to meet in the lobby. The contractors were 20 minutes late so I was stuck just leaning on the wall staring at the Sub. Its about 16 feet long and 4' in diameter and sits on four pneumatic tires and looks like something you would tow behind a small pick-up truck in a parade. Its really well made with great attention to detail. While staring at it I notice something sticking out from under it about 3/4 of the way back from the front. Closer inspection and it turns out to be a 1" piece of black iron pipe with a pepper pot style muffler attached. There is a removable panel on one side so I removed it and looked inside. THERE WAS A CRAFTSMAN 10HP REAR ENGINE RIDER INSIDE!! Apparently a guy gets in and drives this thing around at parades. The sail (big fin looking part on top of a submarine) is made with black mesh and the operators head sticks up into this part so he can see. The tractor is electric start and there is a small 6" fan inside for cooling and some fresh air.

Its in a government building on a Navy base so I wont be snapping any pictures...sorry.

Here's what the sub is modeled after"

I thought it was the coolest thing ever!

Mike............

[Rollerman 290]

I guess a Craftsman rider inside a sub would be better than the hand cranked confederate sub Hunley.

Sounds pretty cool though.

[AMC RULES 37,132]

Sounds like some high tech, top secret technology going on there.

[Operator 7]

Ah go ahead get some pic's! You know we like them.

[perry 82]

the fan is very important

[AMC RULES 37,132]

Is this the same place Mike?

http://www.submarine...s_nautilus.html

[Rollerman 290]

Thats pretty cool Craig, but I'm dizzy now......

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,338]

Is this the same place Mike?

That's a Sub (Nautilus) that can be toured just outside the Navy Base. Theres also a great museum there as well. They have working periscopes in the museum and you can check on your car in the parking lot from inside!

The small "mock-up sub" I saw is actually on the base in the lobby of a building.

Mike..........