NEW INVENTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 2

NEW INVENTION

UNIQUE SUBMARINES

EFFICIENT GERMAN CRAFT

LONDON, Sept. 15. Germany, according to information disclosed by Mr. H. Ci Bywater, the naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, has built submarines which have only one motor for both surface and underwater propulsion. This is regarded as a unique feature of naval construction. For many years engineers have been tryinn- to evolve a unit motor for underwater craft. The new German submarines are operated by hydrogen and oxygen. Owing to the new invention it has been possible to build very small submarines, Which are highly efficient. Hitherto, all submarines have been equipped with Diesel motors for surface running and electric motors for underwater running. The electric drive was necessary oneo a boat was submerged, for. if the Diesel-engines were kept running below the surface, they consumed all the available air. Tbo chief drawback of this system is the-relatively great weight of tho electric batteries, and, further, the batteries themselves are a source of danger, as, if seawater enters the battery compartments, chlorine gas is generated. Many of tho 32 German submarines, the construction of which is officially admitted, are understood to be propelled by the new motor. Twenty of the new boats displace only 250 tons, yet have a good surface speed and a considerable radius of action. They aro armed with three 20in. torpedo tubes and machine-guns. Six larger boats of 500 tons and six of 750 tons aro completed or being built.