NIGHT TRAP FOR U-BOATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 4 August 1941, Page 3

NIGHT TRAP FOR U-BOATS

\MERICAN INVENTORS I*RE DICTION ! ( harle F Kettering, one ol Amej rica's foremost inventors, predicts that German submarines will be driven from the seas by development of a device to catch them on the surface at night. The engineer who gave the automobile industry the self-starter and a score of other inventions, expressed a belief that the anti-submarine device would be completed and in operation 'within a reasonable time." In explanation, Mr Kettering said it was the practice of U-boats to come to the surface at night to recharge thenbatteries and then wait in the path ot i■■ convoy, whose position and course , had been reported by scouting planes. Th**n. just as daybreak, it submerges to i cov< r the conning-tower and makes its "All you have to do is locate him i w hen he s on the surface at night and you've got Dim. Detectors will find him when lie's under water." Of each 10 British merchant ships • sunk 'our are estimated to be sent to Die bottom by submarines, four by air attack, one by surface raiders, and one by mines. "B we can slop that first four, war- . ship.*- and aeroplanes can concentrate on the rest, and probably do a great deal in cutting the other losses." the Mr Kettering told a group of i t turned Ameriean war correspondents that oik- ol the btg advantage: the United States Nav\ had over other navies was -in the engine being installed in new With that engine our submarines can go 17 to 20 knots and more on the surface la t enough to keep up w ith the i licet. The submarines of other counilries have to go along at 10 or 11." - ;• Detroit correspondent of the Amen-