The Lost Submersible As an Analogy

[GURPS]

Which brings us to the Titan. I’m not in a position to say whether this submersible was adequately built for journeys under three-and-a-half tons of pressure per square inch. We will find out eventually.

What strikes me is the very fact that someone thought it a good idea to set up a touring company for the purpose. I don’t know what I think of the morals of a profit-making enterprise to take people to visit a graveyard two miles under the ocean’s surface, but if it is to be done, then it certainly should be done only with the utmost respect for the forces being challenged. A tourism company doesn’t seem quite the thing for such an undertaking (again, meaning no reflection on the victims), nor does a submersible comprised—as I understand—of ready-made parts.

All of us are too ready to look at the world as a kind of show or service—something put together by people who know how and offered up for our satisfaction. Rather like a huge hotel or cruise ship. If something goes wrong, that means someone didn’t do his job, and we have a grievance.

It takes an effort of imagination to realize we are actually fragile living creatures surrounded by dangers and discomforts, dependent upon food and shelter for our survival. How many of us even know where our electricity comes from? Or the source of the water that comes from our taps? How many know where the food at the supermarket was grown and processed?

The Lost Submersible As an Analogy › American Greatness

When the Titanic sank, G.K. Chesterton wrote an essay called “The Great Shipwreck As An Analogy.” Now that this same ship has unexpectedly become the site of another tragedy over a century later…

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[Gilligan]

A colleague that is intimately familiar with deep-sea vehicle design and operation pointed out that the design of this tour vehicle was far outside the "box" of previously validated engineering practice and had numerous "quality control" defects that were evident even in some of the company's own video productions documenting the build.

The company boasted that they'd built this thing on the the cheap and without needing to rely on the input or expertise from some "old white guys" to do it. And they paid a price for that.

Spun (wound)-fiber composite structures are great when it comes to keeping pressure IN. Not so much when it comes to trying to design a "container" to keep huge pressures OUT.

As an aside, its interesting the extent to which deep submersible designers still rely on translated WWII German research and engineering documents. Yet another area where the Germans were far ahead of the rest of the world in technology.

 

[Hijinx]

From what I read this thing made several successful trips down..
IMO they forgot what airplane designers learned years ago.
Each time they went down the stress worked on the hull until the hull caved in.

 

[Clem72]

A colleague that is intimately familiar with deep-sea vehicle design and operation pointed out that the design of this tour vehicle was far outside the "box" of previously validated engineering practice and had numerous "quality control" defects that were evident even in some of the company's own video productions documenting the build.

The company boasted that they'd built this thing on the the cheap and without needing to rely on the input or expertise from some "old white guys" to do it. And they paid a price for that.

Spun (wound)-fiber composite structures are great when it comes to keeping pressure IN. Not so much when it comes to trying to design a "container" to keep huge pressures OUT.

As an aside, its interesting the extent to which deep submersible designers still rely on translated WWII German research and engineering documents. Yet another area where the Germans were far ahead of the rest of the world in technology.

Did you watch that tech-talk thing the CEO did. He came across as the most smug "I know better than you" person you could imagine. He mentioned several times that his design was so "outside the box" that the certifying agencies just didn't know how to handle it because they are all dinosaurs who don't understand technology.

Now I haven't heard why they think the sub imploded, but if we find out its because of his super-duper-carbon-fiber hull and not something external like a krakken attack, then I hope the family members sue his estate for every penny regardless of what contracts and waivers may have been in place.

 

[Hijinx]

Did you watch that tech-talk thing the CEO did. He came across as the most smug "I know better than you" person you could imagine. He mentioned several times that his design was so "outside the box" that the certifying agencies just didn't know how to handle it because they are all dinosaurs who don't understand technology.

Now I haven't heard why they think the sub imploded, but if we find out its because of his super-duper-carbon-fiber hull and not something external like a krakken attack, then I hope the family members sue his estate for every penny regardless of what contracts and waivers may have been in place.

The families of these rich people just got their inheritance a little early.
I don't see any reason they should sue because their deceased made a stupid mistake.
When some decides to put themselves at risk for a thrill it's on them.

 

[Clem72]

The families of these rich people just got their inheritance a little early.
I don't see any reason they should sue because their deceased made a stupid mistake.
When some decides to put themselves at risk for a thrill it's on them.

Generally I agree, but only when people are presented with accurate information. Like if you need a complicated surgery and your surgeon tells you he graduated top of his class at Stanford Medical and has a 100% success rate. And then after he botches the surgery you find out he went to Stamford Ct. Community College Medical (not his fault you misheard him) and his 100% success rate was for his his only two previous surgeries, both tonsillectomies.

 

[Hijinx]

Generally I agree, but only when people are presented with accurate information. Like if you need a complicated surgery and your surgeon tells you he graduated top of his class at Stanford Medical and has a 100% success rate. And then after he botches the surgery you find out he went to Stamford Ct. Community College Medical (not his fault you misheard him) and his 100% success rate was for his his only two previous surgeries, both tonsillectomies.

Oh you mean like when a presidential candidate tells you he graduated at the top of his class he was raised by Peurto Ricans, he drove a truck and we find out that he was at the bottom of his class was raised in Philadelphia and the only truck he ever saw was the one delivering food to his local grocer.

 

[WingsOfGold]

The Navy has a program instituted after the Thresher called "Sub Safe". Welds, panels ect are all NDI inspected. They use no Radio Shack close out parts.

 

[GregV814]

A colleague that is intimately familiar with deep-sea vehicle design and operation pointed out that the design of this tour vehicle was far outside the "box" of previously validated engineering practice and had numerous "quality control" defects that were evident even in some of the company's own video productions documenting the build.

The company boasted that they'd built this thing on the the cheap and without needing to rely on the input or expertise from some "old white guys" to do it. And they paid a price for that.

Spun (wound)-fiber composite structures are great when it comes to keeping pressure IN. Not so much when it comes to trying to design a "container" to keep huge pressures OUT.

As an aside, its interesting the extent to which deep submersible designers still rely on translated WWII German research and engineering documents. Yet another area where the Germans were far ahead of the rest of the world in technology.

PHSAWWWWW, spoken by an old white guy...as the daughter of a poor old black sharecropper, I remember one thing from my uncle, that was possibly a slave in the 1950's in Memphis Tennessee.... he said, (speaking of creame of wheat), "son, it ain't got no vitamins. I dont know what they is, but if its bugs, they aint none in it, but she sho taste good, ummmmm hummmm".

 

[Gilligan]

PHSAWWWWW, spoken by an old white guy...as the daughter of a poor old black sharecropper, I remember one thing from my uncle, that was possibly a slave in the 1950's in Memphis Tennessee.... he said, (speaking of creame of wheat), "son, it ain't got no vitamins. I dont know what they is, but if its bugs, they aint none in it, but she sho taste good, ummmmm hummmm".

Using your infinite wisdom just enabled me to solve my last hurdle in developing a hypersonic road vehicle.

 

[stgislander]

PHSAWWWWW, spoken by an old white guy...as the daughter of a poor old black sharecropper, I remember one thing from my uncle, that was possibly a slave in the 1950's in Memphis Tennessee.... he said, (speaking of creame of wheat), "son, it ain't got no vitamins. I dont know what they is, but if its bugs, they aint none in it, but she sho taste good, ummmmm hummmm".

This folks is what is called "Stream of Consciousness Typing."

 

[BOP]

Using your infinite wisdom just enabled me to solve my last hurdle in developing a hypersonic road vehicle.

But is it self-driving?

 

[GURPS]