OUTMANOEUVRING THE PIRATES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 59, 3 December 1917, Page 6

OUTMANOEUVRING THE PIRATES

A THE NEW BRITISH SMOKE-BOX,

It was recently stated on high naval authority that the new defensive measures against submarine attacks are meeting with success, and that a further reduction in losses may bo oxpected. The results of the methods adopted during the past month give cause for growing confidence.

"No sensational inventions are being used, and no sensational results may be expected," said a naval officer recently. "The sinkings will continue, but the submarine is defeated. If the public knew what we know they would not have the slightest anxiety, and the criticisms of naval methods would stop at once."

Good results arc being secured from the smoke-cloud defence system, and it is stated that dozens af shins have been saved by its adoption. It was officially stated at the Admiralty recently that the system has been in use' for some months on British ships, and the great majority of Britisli merchantmen have been supplied by tlio Admiralty with smoke-boxes. These boxes, with the smoke funnel, are for the production of smoke on board the vessel attacked. The smoke funnel requires only fuel for its continual use.- The smoke-boxes are for throwing overboard, and oncn used cannot be recovered. They produce dense volumes of smoke, and, skilfully used, completely baffle submarines.

The Bureau of Ordnance of the United States Navy Department is having bufco nnnntitics manufactured, and th« Navy Denartment. in view of the reports of British and American captains, statos that smpke-oroducinp apparatus should be nvnifnble for every vessel. It is regarded in nn.vnl circles as of great importance for the protection of merchant vessels. A. form, of smokebox was used in the Battle of Jutland.