Undersea Exploration Liza Brown
In addition to the use of diving bells, other methods of oceanic exploration were also being invented in the 17th century. While not used for exactly the same purposes, these inventions all allowed humans to further explore the underwater world with much greater confidence. |
One of these is the invention of the first (known)
submarine. Although crude, in 1620, Cornelis Brebbel is credited with creating a watertight, wooden structured, leather covered vessel. It is complete with oars and oarmen to manipulate the sub, and is capable of making a12-15 ft. dive. Although it was reportedly already used in Japan, an adaptation of the snorkel was made to allow pearl divers to stay underwater longer . |
This involved the diver using a metal
tube connected to the surface as a sort of elongated snorkel. These new improvements in underwater technology have greatly expanded the horizons of the world’s divers, allowing them much more freedom to venture underwater. |