The British Special Operations Executive (SOE) constructed the Motorized Submersible Canoe (MSC), often known as Sleeping Beauty, as an underwater vehicle during World War II. Although it would also be utilized for short-range reconnaissance, its purpose was to allow a lone frogman to sabotage enemy ships. After the war, the diver propulsion vehicle took their place.
The original idea behind MSCs was to develop a more advanced form of the basic folboat. (folding kayak) The Allied Inter-Services Research Bureau developed it, and Major Hugh Reeves, R.E., designed it at the confidential research area Station IX. He was also tasked with designing a ‘unspecified device’ for an underwater approach based on an idea from Lt Col “Blondie” Hasler, which he named the ‘underwater glider’ and developed at Aston House according to Hasler’s specifications. By the end of 1943, the design process was nearly complete, having started in 1942.
IIt was dubbed the “Sleeping Beauty” after being referred to as the “Underwater Glider” before being formally termed the Motorized Submersible Canoe. One tale is that the craft was given the nickname “Sleeping Beauty” because a passing police officer found Reeves sleeping in it.
Reeves thought the craft could be sold to civilians for use in salvage and pearl diving, despite the fact that it was first commissioned for naval combat.
The canoe, which had a beam of 27 inches (0.69 m) and was 12 feet 8 inches (3.86 m) in length, was constructed of mild steel. The craft could reach a maximum speed of 4.4 knots (8.1 km/h) thanks to a 5-hp electric motor that was fueled by four 6-volt batteries. It could cover 30 to 40 nautical miles (56 to 74 km) at a cruising speed of 3.1 knots (5.7 km/h). It could operate as deep as fifty feet (15 meters).
Explosives weighing up to 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) might be carried by the Sleeping Beauty. Ballast tanks, which could be filled with compressed air or water, were situated close to the pilot’s legs.
The MSC moved in a variety of ways. “Porpoising” was the moniker given to one of these. The pilot would use “porpoising” to move the ship by letting it temporarily rise to the surface, reorienting, and then fully re-entering the water. Alternatively, the pilot would immerse the ship and navigate entirely underwater using only a compass. A joystick attached to the two ballast tanks was used to control movement. When a target was approaching, the pilot would climb out of the craft and swim the remaining distance. Next, one of the nine magnetic limpet mines would be fastened to the adversary ship’s side. Although the MSC was primarily utilized for attacks and sabotage, it could also be used for reconnaissance.
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