User:Duanebak/sandbox

The Submarine, Lake Champlain Explorer. The Lake Champlain Explorer was the first submarine to enter the waters of Lake Champlain. The submarine's main launching was October 19, 1985, at Perkins Pier in Burlington, Vermont. The submarine made history in Vermont for being the first submarine to explorer Lake Champlain. The submarine was built at Triangle Sheet Metal, in Milton, Vermont. The submarine was classified as a wet and dry submarine. The submarine was 16 feet long, seven feet wide, and six feet high and could accommodate two men inside. Only One man was needed to pilot the submarine. The submarine had three electric motors and could travel up to 4 knots. One motor was in the rudder and one in each of the side fins. The submarine was registered as a submersible boat, and was only used in Lake Champlain. The submarine was built, owned and operated by the three Baker brothers’, Duane, Elmer and Steve. The submarine explored several areas of Lake Champlain from 1985 to 1990. In 1990 the submarine was donated by the Baker brother’s, to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, on Basin Harbor Road in Vergennes, Vermont. The submarine has been on exhibit there for 22 years and still resides there. The submarine will be undergoing restoration in the very near future and continue to be on exhibit for the public to view. The submarine was in the Burlington Free Press October 18, 1985, the day before the main launching At Perkins Pier in Burlington, Vt. The Submarine was on the Channel (3), evening news the day before the launching as well as on the evening news the day of the launching. Yankee Magazine published an article about the submarine in its August, 1987 issue. The submarine was also in Ripley’s Believe it or Not, in 1987. There are other articles in other books and magazines as well. Special Thanks To: Duane Baker, Who dreamed, and initiated the Submarine’s creation, inventor, first designer, and is responsible for the submarine’s existence, He was also the one who installed all internal operation systems, Electric, plumbing, air, and buoyancy control and all other systems so the submarine could be operated properly in the waters of Lake Champlain. Chief pilot and responsible for the entire submarine’s controlled functions while cruising in the water. Elmer Baker, Submarine’s major hull designer, builder, creator and who actually built the submarine. He is not only responsible for the submarines construction but all designs for the hull. He spent over 1,000 man hours designing, welding and building the submarine’s hull from sheets of aluminum into a submarine. Without Elmer the submarine would never have became a reality. Steve Baker, submarine’s second pilot, navigator, and was responsible for all submarine explorations In Lake Champlain. He was involved in all aspects of the submarine. He assisted in all functions of the submarine and contributed greatly to the submarines maneuvers while in the water. He was the main Scuba diver and explored all areas for the submarine’s dives. Special Thanks To: Burlington Free Press, Vt. Chanel (3) news, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Yankee Magazine, and Ripley’s, Believe it or Not.

Duane Baker