The bell was struck by means of air pressure, and was the
same as that used for submarine signalling on ships. Water, being
dense, is an excellent conductor of sound. Even in the submarine
itself, I could hear the muffled clang of the gong.
Then there were buoys which could be released and would fly to the
surface, carrying within them a telephone, a light, and a whistle.
I knew also something of the explosion dangers on a submarine,
both from the fuel oil used when running on the surface, and from
the storage batteries used when running submerged. Once in a while
a sailor would take from a jar a piece of litmus paper and expose
it, showing only a slight discolouration due to carbon dioxide.
That was the least of my troubles. For a few moments, also, the
white mice in a cage interested me. White mice were carried
because they dislike the odour of gasoline and give warning of any
leakage by loud squeals.
The fact was that there was so much of interest that, the first
discomfort over, I was, like Kennedy, beginning really to enjoy
the trip.
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