Submarine Torpedo Boats.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7215, 21 May 1898, Page 4

Submarine Torpedo Boats.

Before the Institution of Naval Architects recently, Captain W. H. Jaques (late of the United States navy) read a paper on " Submarine Torpedo-boats, their Influence on Torpedo-boat Architecture and Value in Warfare." He observed that the present torpedo craft, whether she be carried on a battleship or was a torpedo-boat destroyer, was neither sufficiently protected nor invisible,' nor could she keep the seas without ruining her personnel or meeting destruction. The development of the submarine boat, its power to disappear, its ability to move quickly, its valuable element of submergence, the practicability of protecting by armour, its limited visible portion, and the surety of its fish-like qualities must have a radical influence in modifying the present types of torpedo craft. After dealing with the early history of submarine navigation the author described the Plunder and the Holland, two submarine boats which were constructed for the United States. The Plunger was launched from the Holland Company s yard in Baltimore in August last year. She was 84ft. long of circular section, lift. 6in. diameter, surface displacement 149 tons, submerged displacement 160 tons, with a reserve buoyancy of about a quarter of a ton. The guaranteed speed was 15 knots on the surface. The totally-sub-merged electrically-running speed would be eight knots for six hours. There were two openings in the nose-piece, through which service torpedoes were to be discharged. The hull had been constructed to admit a submergence of 75ft. She had three propellers, in addition to the downhaul screws, any one or all of which could be operated by either steam or electrical machinery. The Holland was built at the Crescent Shipyard, Elizabethport, New Jersey, by Mr I/. Nixon, a member of the Institution of Naval Architects. Its form resembled that of a porpoise. Its length was 53ft. and diameter amidships 10ft. In this boat no attempt was made to secure a higher speed than was necessary to obtain proper diving and steering properties. At a speed of eight knots the Holland manoeuvred, steered and dived beautifully, and the control of submergence was speedily and easily effected. Her stability had been thoroughly proved, and the atmospheric conditions when she was submerged were infinitely safer and more comfortable than those of the ordinary torpedo-boat. Her armament consisted of one 18in service tube and two dynamite guns fitted for powder and compressed air discharge. The primary purpose to which a submarine boat should be put was that of actually fighting vessels around the harbors and on the coast instead of in the open sea. The dimensions of a submarine boat proper should be governed by the necessary offensive power; and, while having in it all the destructive power desired, it should be small enough to get close up and practically nibble at the bottom of the ship to be destroyed. That object appeared to have been accomplished in the Holland.