SUBMARINES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10967, 6 January 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

SUBMARINES.

The idea entertained at one time was that submarine boats would act only as a- moral deterrent, because the existence of a submarine fleet "in being" would so interfere with the nerve of an officer of any opposing naval fleet. But we have long since passed beyond that view, owing to the reliability of submarine boats proved in long cruises, and to the great development in the size, power, speed, and radius of action of these vessels. The vessels built ten years ago were comparatively -_ small craft, few were over 200 tons displacement when submerged, but there has beeu a steady growth, conservative, no doubt, in regard to each step, but as a consequence successful in its result, and of great significance in its aggregate. Thus we find that some the Continental Powers are building ships of close upon 1000 tons, while in the case of the British Navy the submerged displacement has reached about 800 tons. It is recognised, however (says Engineering) that mere size will not render these vessels suitable units of an ordinary squadron. The speed of a squadron is determined by the slowest ship, and for strategic reasons it may be desirable for a fleet to steam long distances at the highest possible rate, so that with a fleet, including battleships, having a speed of at least 21 knots, surrounded by a curtain formed of 24-knot and 25-kuot scout cruisers, and of 28-knot heavier armoured cruisers to pierce the screen of the enemy a .distinct handicap would result from the inclusion of submarine vessels of slow speed. There is no doubt, however, that in this quality of design great advances have been made even within, the. past year or two, and if there is similar advance within the next three or four years, such" vessels will, no doubt, win their place in the squadron bj- virtue of speed, as well as of fighting power. It will be noted that the 950-ton Holland special type submarine is to have a speed of 17 knots on the surface, and a correspondingly high rate is anticipated in the latest British submarine ships. This, of course, demands great horse-power in the propelling internalcombustion engines—approaching 2000 brake horse-power in the case of the Holland boat. Advances have been, and are being, made in the development of heavy oil-engines for such craft, and weights have consequently not gone up at the .same rate as power and speed. It will be noted that the form of ship is undergoing modification, which is further conducive to efficiency in speed. As. regards offensive power, the submarine boats are able to take advantage of the recent improvements in. the size, speed, and therefore range, of the Whitehead torpedo, as well as of the higher bursting charge. It would seem also as if with development in size there may come the emplacement of disappearing guns for use when the vessels are on the surface. Experiments are being tried, but it remains to be seen whether such a- departure from what has hitherto been regarded as the exclusive function of the submarine boat—the firing of torpedoes — "will be widely approved. As to reliability, there have been many evidences afforded by performances in the course of manoeuvres with squadrons, and also by the long'voyages taken hy individual boats and fleets of boats. It is thus accepted that not only for defensive, but also for offensive .operations the submarine has established its practicability,' and it is pertinent to inquire into the work in progress hy " .the various Powers.