The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-22
SUBMARINE 1oRPEDo BoA1s.
How sun--eustie Explosions Msy ATse,
Theu-The Holland Ront.

WASHINGTON Dec. 21.-The diving class at
the Newport station having succeeded IN rails
ing tho empty Lay torpedo sunk in the recent
experiment. II Is probable that similar trials
will be carried on after suitable study OF the
cause OF the sinking Of this she'll
This series OF experiments Is not only Of a
worry interesting and important but so far rs
IL known, OF wholly novel character. The
object. as the order directing them declares. 10
20 determine what would DO the effect on the
crew OF n submerged boat OF the detonatlon OF
high explosives under water and near by. Ac-
cordinGly II was arranged to employ for the
purpose a Lay torpedo shell. which in shape
resembles submarine boat on small scale.
being about 30 feet long and between and
81, feet In maximum diameter IL was pro-
posed to sink this torpedo empty. OF course.
about dozen feet below the surface. and then
to sink and explode 100 pounds Of gun cotton.
equal 70 the charge pi a WhileheGd tGtred1s,
similar ex plosions at shorter distances.
1t turned out. however. that from some rco.
sank at the first distance tried. II was
thought that shock NAV have loosened bolts
In the coNars OF the handhOlCs, 80 that
che filled gradually and sank And this again
suggests that. whatever the results OF these
que "a siHs n IN ne maze ,or gns
between torpedo shell Of this character ana
a good submarine boat Bearing this in mind.
OF high Importance to the whole problem OF
submarine boat construction, both in this
country and In Europe.
1t is believed to lie partly for this reason that
the construction OF submarine boat as au-
poned. ii is also perhaps. felt that this class
OF construction has not yet oeen far enough
developed to justify expenditures upon IT. es-
pcctnlly since there Is so great need OF ordi-
nary surface torpedo boats.
lu some RESPECTS It is to be regretted that
the Holland submarine boat. which received
the final Recommendation in the contest be-
tween 1t and tho Baker boat. will not be oon-
ttructed. 1t was to be III feet long II feet in
diameter and Of lao tons displacement. The
motive mower for the surfacs was to be quad.
ruple expansion engines ~ l,VvO horse power
electricity. A speed Of lD knots on the sur
face ami X knots submerged was said to
tect the pilot and the smokcstack with tho
vessel awash and IL was to have two torpedo
Tut i is moi easy to obtain the requirements
Tor submarine boat. rs expressed by Secre-
4 %hnsy Of pe osHn sse aoy
speed when covered. good speed when rum
ming on the surface a fair endurance OF power
all conditions. sufficient stability great strue-
,ural strength, and fair power OF offence" To
to have the latter at anchor Il the submarine
boat IL fully submerged and this wi certainly
Ss be f th during shS sscIa
against her beneath the water. although il
very useful in this respect. Before going be-
meath the surface, the pilot in the armorod tur;
ret puts the submarine boat In the required
direction. and then depends on theautomatc
steering gear TO Keep her on her course. lis
evident that ii she should come to the surface
to verify her course or 10 alter her course be-
cause the vessel to be attacked Is also moving.
she would be exposed to tho fire OF rapid fire
guns or to fast torpedo boats. The'eflort has
been to pay attention to form Of construction
and mode OF attack which allows the boat to
lie Just Rwash for the whole or part OF its
run. as SO much higher sIeed can then he OBJ
tanned. When compelled to he submerged.
the boat can. by devices already tried, keep on
an even Keel ana 1t also need not fear diving
80 low as to be crushed by the pressure OF tho
water.
But since Il has baen deemed wise in the
probable lack OF funds for needed construc-
tion. to get authority to substitute one or
more ordinary torpedo bonts for the proposed
submarine boat. the current experiments at
Newport will meanwhile to Of great value and
interest