Does anyone know? Who is Harper Goff?

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Well;

I am going to answer that question for you. He is the guy that was mainly responsible for Disney’s version of Jules Vernes " Nautilus" Now, Harper was prolific in that stuff. But, Did you know the Disney Sub in NO WAY resembles the actual description given By the writer in the story!

There have been garage and small company models. Some very big, and some small. But there’s only one that even comes close and that one doesn’t rate a cigarillo! Yeah, The Revell snapper! Now that one at least gives you a nice colorful interior to cut and fold inside where you can see in.

Do you know what a weaving shuttle is? No? Well, don’t worry, I don’t expect you to know this. Most folks don’t . A weaving Shuttle is a two ended cylinder or oval shaped tool to pull the “Weft” through from one side to the other in a loom. The weft is the cross thread! It comes to a point on both ends. ( My late second Wife’s hobby)

That’s what the description of the Nautilus’s basic shape was. Remember this was Early in Victorian times. What would’ve been her power source? Steam! Yes, produced by a star stone! What’s that you ask? Who knows? Also, you have those nice lounge windows.

Now here’s a No, No! They are Multi - Paned, almost like a faceted jewel. That wouldn’t work at the depths she went! an OVAL port that is slightly bubbled and definitely has no sharp corners is what would work. Remember the foofura over the shape of windows on a certain passenger jet. They were square and some planes augered in, because of Fuselage failures related to those windows.

You Cannot pressurize and de-pressurize a container with square windows because eventually they fatigue in the corners. The same with those incredubly beautiful windows in her sides. Also Mr. Verne describes her as having a smooth surface like a porpoise to allow fast movement through the oceans and the ships they rammed!

Also the prop and rudders would’ve been protected better than the Goff Model. I will say this. Harper Goff will go down in history for all the eye candy he gave us through Disney and other Studios. The Nautilus will too. I do believe all faults aside, in many ways Harper captured the Victorian Mood with all the Iron Plates and Rivets though!

The vessel that immediately comes to mind when you say her name is not the Navy sub with that name but, Harper’s version! So be it! I love it anyway!

2

I have always identified Harper Goff as the really great jazz/dixieland banjo player, who played with the “Firehouse Five + 2”, made up of Disney associates. Really great, rousing, fun music! They started in the 40’s, played occasionally at the saloon in Disneyland and made lots of records. I have most of them. Great stuff!

3

I didn’t know he played music too.

I heard that he used two animals as inspiration for his sub, a gator and a shark.

As long as you’re talking about Verne, what did the Albatross look like? I read Master of the World a long time ago but don’t emember. I’m sure it didn’t look like teh movie version.

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Ikar01;

Yeah, that one totally eluded me. Now I haven’t been able to get that even at my Library!

5

It came up in a interview with some of the actors and people involved with the movie.For some of the scenes they pumped a enormous amount of water into the stage during filming ahd it was flooding out i\onto the street. For the scene where they had the actors holding on to the tail of the sub as the Nautilus started to dive they were actualling using a real Navy sub with the movie tail attached. One or two of the actors slipped off and went into the sea.

For teh divers walking under water they ended up using the same location that the first 20,000 movie used and needed mats ladi down to keep the sand from obscuring the fillming. It was interesting to watch.

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My favorite sub in the universe. You are so right about the difference between Vern’s Nautilus and Goff’s. I did a paper on submarines technology and the Cigar Crafts of the 19th century back in my grad school days. Now, if I can just remember where the heck I put that…

Anyway, please note my Avatar.

Steve

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Hey Doccidle!

Did Notice that ! What a nice link to what you like!