BRITAIN’S NEWEST SUBMARINE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4646, 26 April 1902, Page 8 (Supplement)

BRITAIN’S NEWEST SUBMARINE

THE FINEST UNDER-WATER VESSEL IN THE WORLD. When the British Admiralty decided, in the autumn of 1900, to take up the question of under-water warfare, they ordered five diving torpedo boats of the type invented by Mr John P. Holland, of the United States of America. The newest Holland type, represented by the five British and six American boats, is 63 feet 4 inches long, whereas the new boat will bo 100 feet long. It will also be faster and heavier than the present type, and when completed it is confidently believed that it will be far and away the finest nndor-water vessel the world has ever seen. Until the British submarines have participated in manoeuvres with the fleet it will bo impossible to gauge their value as weapons of offence and defence. The French submarines are reported as achieving wonders, but one cannot avoid the conclusion that the mimic actions in which they play a part are pre-arranged. There is no doubt that the Holland type is superior to the best French type, and this naturally inclines the French to make the most of their craft. ’ Tho following are particulars of the newest Holland type, represented by the five British and six American boats. The dimensions are as follows: —Length over all, 63 feet 4 inches; diameter, 11 feet 9 inches; displacement, submerged, 120 tons. The motive power consists of a 160 horse-power single-screw, four-cylin-der Otto gasoline engine, which is capable of giving the craft a speed of eight knots on the surface, and 70-horse-power electric motor, which gives the vessel a speed of seven knots when awash, or submerged. The hull is circular, in cross section, and is divided by two watertight bulkheads into three separate compartments. There is also a thorough subdivision of tho bottom, and every precaution is taken to localise any injnrv to the hull which might threaten the buoyancy. In the forward compartment is a torpedo tube for the discharge of 45 centimetre Whitehead torpedoes. The tube is placed with its muzzle in the nose of the craft, and its axis inclines somewhat to the longitudinal axis of tho vessel. The muzzle of the torpedo tube is closed by a watertight door, which can be lifted from within for the discharge of torpedoes. In tho same forward compartment are a series of air flasks, a gasoline tank of 850 gallons capacity, a compensation tank which will be filled with a sufficient amount of water to compensate for the loss of weight due to the discharge of tho torpedo, and one of tho trimming tanks. In the construction of the vessels care has been taken that all portions of the exterior of the hull sha'l he free from projection of a kind that might be entangled by ropes or other obstacles when submerged. The lines of the vessel have been designed so that there shall be a minimum of resistance when they are running on the surface. The radius of action at tho surface is about 400 knots, and the storage batteries have sufficient capacity for a speed of seven knots on a four hours' submerged run. Gearing is provided for driving tho propeller direct from the gasoline engine or connecting the engine to tho main motor, accommodations being effected by means of suitable clutches. The submersion of tho vessel is achieved by means of ballast tanks and a pair of horizontal driving rudders at the stem. For keeping her submerged at desired depths use is made of the trimming and ballast tanks above described, and it is claimed that the control in this respect is very satisfactory. The air snpply and ventilation are secured by means of compressed air stored in the tanks referred to, while the gasoline vapors from the engines, and, indeed all noxious gases, are carefully excluded by suitable devices, while safety valves are provided to prevent the pressure in the vessel from exceeding that of the atmosphere. Provision is also made for automatic control of the rudders, for tho purpose of preventing the vessel from taking excessive angles when diving or coming to the surface, and also for keeping the boat submerged at the desired depth. The contract price of the hull and machinery of each boat is .€34,000. It is stated officially that the new boats are intended specially for coast defence work. Expert opinion in America is divided as to the merits of tho Holland type of divin,g:'torpodo boats.—i"Dnily Nows,”