"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Jr 02 - And His Jetmarine" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

at the old Swift Construction Company. Part of the plant there manufactured
aircraft and test flights were made daily.
"A swell day for flying," Bud remarked. "There's nothing that can beat flying."
"With oi.e exception-my new sub," Tom replied. "I have a lot of faith in the
jetmarine and I'm sticking with her until she's ready for action."
"Tell me more about this latest invention of yours, Tom. I'd like to get the full
pitch on the jet-marine and help you try it out, since we'll have to wait a while for
our rocket trip into space."
Some time before, a huge meteorlike object had plunged into the Swift
Enterprises grounds. On the missile's metal side were mathematical symbols.
When Tom had deciphered the code he discovered that it contained a message
from the inhabitants of another planet. Ever since, he had dreamed of visiting
these space beings-but first his newest invention, the jetmarine, must be
perfected.
Tom's two-man submarine was to be manufactured and sold eventually as a
speed craft for safe ocean travel, especially to distant points such as Africa and
Australia. This type of travel would avoid the delays sometimes experienced by
surface ships and aircraft during bad weather.
The submarine was to operate on an entirely different principle of propulsion
from the standard propeller type. A stream of water forced through
WING-TIP ESCAPE 9
special tubes under great pressure would be its means of propulsion.
"A hydraulic jet," Tom explained.
"Give it to me in first-grade science," Bud begged.
Tom laughed. "Remember when we were kids and filled balloons with water,
then let go of them? Same kind of propulsion."
"But all I got was a soaking!" Bud remarked. "Go ahead, professor."
The young inventor explained further that the submarine had an atomic pile
containing Swifto-nium, the radioactive isotope which the Swifts had discovered
in South America. In order to protect the occupants of the jetmarine from the
deadly radiation, the whole power plant had been encased in a three-inch
thickness of Tomasite. This was a strong, durable plastic named after the young
inventor and his father. Heat-resistant, it absorbed gamma rays much more
efficiently than lead shields which are ordinarily used.
"Sounds terrific," Bud reflected. "Go on."
Tom said that the submarine, except for its transparent nose, was double-
hulled.
"As I see it," Bud interrupted, "the construction of this sub is just like sticking
a cigar into one end of an egg and leaving a little of it protruding."
"Right. Only the part of the cigar that you can see is as clear as glass," Tom
replied. "The nose is molded of transparent Tomasite."
The outer hull was also painted with Tomasite,
10 TOM SWIFT AND HIS JETMARINE
to prevent reflection of sound waves. Thus, the jet-marine could not be
detected by sonar devices.
"This is wonderful, genius boy," said Bud, grinning. "But you still haven't told
me what makes the jetmarine go."
Tom laughed. "I haven't? Well, the intense heat from the atomic pile will
create steam to drive a turbine, which in turn will activate a pump. This will force
out a jet of sea water so fast that it will cause propulsion.