"Kuroshio", Undersea Observation Chamber, a New Weapon for Submarine Geological Works

Abstract

A new submarine research chamber named "Kuroshio" which belongs to the University of Hokkaido was built in 1951 for the purpose of studying oceanography, biology and fishery visually at the undersea. It was planned and designed by Prof. N. Inoue (Hokkaido University) and R. Oaki (International Marine Engineering Co.), under the guidance of Prof. U. Nakaya (Hokkaido University), with the help of Dr. T. Sasaki (Scientific Research Institute). Most parts of it were constructed by the Tsurumi shipyard (Nippon Steel Tube Co.) and accessories such as window glasses, underwater lightings, guages and instruments were provided by several makers. The "Kuroshio" is 3.15m. in height (to the top of the hatch cover), 3.70m, in length (from the tip of wooden bearer to the end of the direction stabilizer fins) and 1.48m, of outside diameter of the observation chamber, with total weight of almost 5,000kg, with accessories. It has one main observasion window with controlable reflector, one seabottom observation window and three side and rear windows Lighting equipments are well prepared for submarine observation and for photographying. It is hung down from a mother ship by suspending wire and electric cables for light and telephone will serve as second hunging wire when necessary.