In the mid-19th century, inventor Julius Hermann Kroehl designed the Sub Marine Explorer, a pioneering submarine intended to streamline and revolutionize pearl diving. However, the vessel’s innovative approach inadvertently led to tragic outcomes for its crew due to a then-unknown danger: decompression sickness.
The Visionary Submarine
Kroehl’s Sub Marine Explorer was a technological marvel for its time. The 11-meter-long, 80-ton submarine had a sophisticated design that included:
- Three main sections: A pressurized air chamber, a central workspace, and ballast tanks.
- Advanced pressurization system: Allowed the vessel to equalize internal and external pressures, enabling the crew to safely open a hatch underwater.
- Hand-cranked propulsion: Provided maneuverability at speeds up to 7.4 km/h.
The submarine allowed pearl divers to work at greater depths without the need for extensive surface support. During successful trials off the coast of Panama, the submarine harvested up to 1,800 oysters in just four hours—a monumental leap in efficiency compared to traditional free-diving methods.
Tragedy Strikes
Despite its successes, the Sub Marine Explorer became a silent killer. After extended dives at depths exceeding 30 meters, the crew began to suffer from mysterious fevers, illnesses, and deaths. The underlying cause, decompression sickness, was not understood at the time.
Decompression sickness occurs when nitrogen gas, absorbed into the bloodstream under high pressure, forms dangerous bubbles during rapid ascent. Symptoms range from joint pain and rashes to paralysis and death. The crew’s lack of knowledge about slow, controlled ascents led to repeated tragedies.
Kroehl himself died in 1867, with speculations that his death was related to the sickness. However, his widow attributed it to malaria contracted during his military service.
The Submarine’s Downfall
Without Kroehl’s leadership and adequate funding, the Pacific Pearl Company abandoned its operations, leaving the Sub Marine Explorer stranded on the Panamanian coast. In 1869, another group attempted to use the submarine, but the same fatal outcomes forced them to abandon it on San Telmo Island.
Rediscovery and Legacy
For decades, the rusted remains of the submarine intrigued local residents until James P. Delgado, a maritime archaeologist, rediscovered it in the early 2000s. Despite its historical significance, efforts to study and preserve the submarine have been hampered by financial and logistical challenges.
By 2010, the Sub Marine Explorer was in a state of severe corrosion, and experts warned that it was on the brink of total disintegration.
Lessons Learned
The tragic story of the Sub Marine Explorer underscores the dangers of pushing technological boundaries without fully understanding the risks involved. It remains a testament to Kroehl’s ingenuity and a somber reminder of the importance of safety in innovation.
