A MONSTER SUBMARINE

Grey River Argus, 12 June 1915, Page 3

A MONSTER SUBMARINE

CRUISING RADIUS OF 7000 MILES.

AN AMEJiICAN I'NDEB-\VAT.EIt

CIiAPT

The submarine Seliley, which, is to be built at once by the Electric Boat Company at Grotton, Conn., will be by far' the most interesting and the most dreaded of ail submarines, and in its design and construction the naval architects have taken big strides. Up to date the largest submarine, as far as can be learned, that is building is under 200 ft in length. This is the Class F of the British, which has not yet made its appearance, unless it lias been commissioned recently and is being used secretly. The boats of this class are to have a service speed of 20 knots. The largest of the German boats are of SOO tons ditspj-.i'ceiiient with a cruising radius of 2000 miles, and make, so it was planned, IS knots on the surface and sevtn knots submerged.

The Schley is to be or the Holland or diving type. It wili displace approximately 1100 tons at the surface and much, more when submerged. The length will be 2b'sft over all, or about 05ft longer than any submarine now pro jected by any European Power. This craft is to be driven by Niseco Diesel oil engines, which will develop 4000

hcrse-power, and these engines will enable the craft to maintain a speed on the surface of 20 nautical miles an hour. When submerged the vessel will be driven by electric motors, and will then make 11 nautical miles an hour.

! Cruising Speed 15 MUO3 Per Hour,

Tho cruising speed of the Sehlcy will be from 11 to i 5 nautical miles an hour, and at these speeds it will have a cruising radius of 7000 miles. That is, it will have sufficient fuel capacity to enable v it to cruise across the Atlantic and back again without replenishing its fuel oil. This is an advantage that no other submarine at present projected has, and Avill make the Schley the most destructive vessel of its kind ever built.

With its speed it will be exceedingly difficult for any vessel to avoid its attack, as merchant ships are able to do in many cases with the present German submarines.

It had been suggested that this vessel, instead of using heavy oil engines, should be fitted with steam power, using the high speed turbine; but this idea was not practical for a vessel of this kind, because if steam were used it would take from 30 to 40 minutes to prepare the vessel for diving. With an internal combustion engine the diving can be done instantly, because when the

motor is shut oil' there are no fires to draw or bank, no boilers to cool; and again when the vessel comes to the surface the oil motors can be started instantly. From a military point of view it has been decided that vessels of this type equipped Avith steam will prove very inefficient.

There will in all probability be a class in the United States navy of these fast submarines, a".d the one now building is only the first.

Offensive and Defensive Scnico,

Froir a military point cf view the Schley will be of enormous value in both offensive and defensive service. The boat will have considerable freebeard to make it seaworthy under all conditions in the open sea. It will have an elevated bridge in addition to a conning tower, and this will make it practically a small gunboat Avhen used on the surface. It will carry a nuinlx.T of guns. and. in addition, will be fitted with 10 torpedo tubes. These tubes will be arranged to discharge torpedios at all angles, and it will not be necessary to manoeuvre the vessel into sonic certain position to send forth its Aveapons of destruction but it will be able to discharge ahead, brcadside, and astern.

Thy interior cf this vessel, too, will be more like that of the warship of her size. She will have comfortable quarters for officers and men; be heated, well stored with fresh air, and carry supplies that will last for a lengthy cruise. It is expected that the Sehley will be ready for service next year and work will be pushed as fast as possible to get her out early. The ccst of the Schley will be 1,350,000d01. The engines are built by the New London Ship-building and Engine Company.