New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-03
THE NEW SUBMARINE BOAT.

At recent trial Of the boat there was an OK
ploson OF OF the storage battery cells, but this
was said 10 10 due little oversight, and not to
my defect in the general construction The repairs
arc nearly completed and in anticipation OF this
Commodore Folgcr has instructed W. Scott Sims, the
inventor OF the sims Edison torpedo, 10 make some
experiments determine its value as perfect de-
stroycr IN conjunction with the automobile and other
submarine orpedoes II these tests should prove salts
factory IL IS believed by Commodore Foger that then
tho problem OF submarine will be solved. Tho
boat will be tried thoroughly and It's future posi-
ltes Will be better demonstrated by the experiments
that are suggested by the Chief Of the Bureau OF
Ordnance.
In general outline the Baker boat does not look I'M
Ike the submarine torpcdoboat Nautilus, shaped like
a double pointed cigar, which has attracted the at,
tcn,ion OF visitors at the Navy Yard for so man5
years. This boat Is relic of the Civil War and re-
calls Jules Vernes Twenty Thousand Leagues under
the sea- The Baker boat as viii be seen by the cut
OF It's longitudinal section. IL shaped like double
pointed pumpkin seed. II contains within Its shell
a furnace boiler, a small steam-engine. motor and
DYNAMO and storage cells. Tie only projection above
tho top NJ the boat which Is almost awash with The
surface, is the smOke-pipc, but this Is so a.
ranged that II be tclescoped when the boat has
started for action against an enemy's ship In addS
sion 10 propelng the boat the steamengine also runs
he dynamo electric generator for the purpose -
charging the storage batteries. The boat Is kept up
rght BY means Of lead ballast along the line Of the
keel. Along the bottom OF tho boat, but above tie
line OF The lead ballast are series OF watertanks for
controlling the submergence OF the boat These tanks
arc flied when It 4, desired TO sink the boat, and the
water IS pumped out when the vessel is not needed -
BIO wholly submerged.
1t will be observed from the cut that there are two
men provided for inside Of the boat-one TO man.
age the steamcngne aud control the direction OF tho
movement Of the boat and the other 10 load and dis
charge the torpedo But one man could do all OF the
work with almost great efficiency could two men.
The people OF this country are for peace. first, last
and an the time-wen peace policy is feasible. Al
the same time II Is recognized fitting to pre-
pare for wnr In time OF pence II one keeps watch
OF what foreign nations doing he must come to tie
conclusion that contingency may arise at any time
when determined defence, II not offence. will be
actually incumbent upon the Nation. In view OF this
The Government would seem be justified In making
ample preparations for the protection OF Its rights
and its people although the international sky is clear
and serene, and continue to study the intricate and
interesting science OF wnr. especially France ana
Spain, and Portugal have obtained more or less salts
factory results with submarine torpedo boats, and
and Ehglaid and Germany, and Italy, and many othee
countries are spending millions annually for battle.
ships cruisers, torpedo boats, etc.
With the demonstrated value OF oerial and ssbnor
rine torpedoes and the tct that electricity can -
utilized By submarine pavantion. II Is reasonable -
admit that tho naval battle OF the future will be
10 me- desperate affair than II In the past,
and the ,nctlcs crployed viii be OF far different
character than the TIE old rusty and antquatcd ones.
The chances are that while the battery Of war
ship will always be Of supreme importance, and viii
BE- the greatest factor In determining the issue OF con-
fict. the deadly t)rpedoes will h projected with
most unfortunatefor the other felow-sucty OF aim.
The Importance OF u submarine torpedo boat which can
DE operated under at viii Is obvious as II will
multiply In deadly efficiency the torpedo and bring to
stronger realization the daboca purposes Of the future
battles 10 sr1or Hence he result Of the ex.
wnsohsd With cousaderu6ie intsrSst IN oskur SS1np
IN ~ well 6 bY tlo American naval o6eorA