Happy Friday!
Today I am standing in front of a cut-away of a Gato Class Submarine model (It sure was nice of my help to help me stand there for the picture!) I’m not sure if you can tell, but the model is BIG and is hanging from the ceiling! The model has openings in it to show visitors, like me, what living inside a submarine would be like. Boy, it sure does look cramped in there!
Gato class submarines were designed and built in the 1940’s, by the Electric Boat Company, here in Groton, CT. The typical length of the boats, in this class, was about 312 feet; with a beam of 27 feet. Unlike the nuclear-powered boat I was talking about yesterday, these boats had diesel engines that drove electric generators, which powered everything. The diesel engines are just like what cars and trucks use, only bigger. I bet they were smelly too! The boats could travel 20 knots on the surface and 8 knots underwater. They could also dive to a test depth of 300 feet below the surface of the water! Wow, that is deep!
Seeing this model really makes me want to go on a real submarine. I can’t wait!
See you soon!
Stanley
