[ad_1]
On the site of the old fishing boats, where the new exhibition is located, visitors can also see the largest exhibition in the museum: the average fishing trawler “Dubingiai”, the traditional sailboat from the Curonian lagoon and other boats.
Apparently all children, like Žiulis Vernas, dream of becoming submarines as children and sailing to explore the secrets of the underwater world. And the doctor Jonas Velžys from Pasvalys not only dreamed, but also realized his dream: in 1968 he built the first submarine in Lithuania, naming it by the famous name “Lituanika – 01”.
He could often see it built as he passed Velz’s house, built near the street in the yard, waiting for the days when it would be moved from asphalt to water.
In fact, Lituanika – 01 has also tasted many waters. They sailed in the Curonian Lagoon, the Sventoji State Port, the Dangė River, the coasts of Estonia and elsewhere. The ship has already been exhibited at the Estonian Maritime Museum.
This submarine, according to its creator, is very simple: when it takes in water, that is, wet ballast, it sinks, and when the ballast is expelled with compressed air, it rises. For it to navigate, three engines were installed: a powerful Soviet military gasoline truck GAZ-52 and two electric motors with batteries. The boat can reach a speed of about 12 knots in the water and 6 knots below.
The submarine weighs about 5 tons, is about 7 meters long and one and a half high, can submerge to a depth of 15 meters, but it usually sails at periscope depth when air enters through a pipe over the water.
Jonas Velžys said that since childhood he was drawn to the sea and boats. However, during the Soviet era, he was not allowed to become a sailor because he and his parents were deported. Therefore, he turned his dream into a unique hobby: the “Lituanika – 01” batiskaf is already in its sixties, and its creator takes every opportunity to immerse it in a new body of water.
[ad_2]
