World's largest submarine launched

This weekend saw the launch of the UC3 Nautilus, the world's largest privately-built submarine, at the city harbour of Holmen.

Measuring 18 metres long and weighing 32.5 tons, the vessel was created from a wind turbine mast by 25 men, with engineer and artist Peter Madsen leading the way.

Madsen, who had built two submarines prior to this one, said he had waited 'a long, long time for this day'.

His excitement was shared by the throng of Copenhagen residents who crowded around the podium to watch a fur-clad woman by the name of Pipaluk christen the submarine 'Nautilus' and ceremoniously bash a bottle of bubbly into the sleek, black vessel, surrendering it to Neptune, the ancient Roman god of the seas.

The crane then gracefully lowered the impressive ship into the harbour and, upon touching the surface of the shimmering water, a hoarse cry emitted from Madsen, 'She's floating, she's floating.'

Madsen announced he would not only be sleeping in his submarine, he would move into it. Asked why he built one in the first place, he said, 'because it's possible'.

The submarine will embark on its first overseas voyage next year and point its bow towards the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. (LYT)

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