Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-14
FRENCH SUBMARINE BOATS.
Remarkable Experience with the
Gustave-Zede Mt MnrscilIes.

Gustave-Zede at MnrseilIes.
The Paris Temps contains a long article
insisting strongly on the capabilities of the
GustaveZ Zede, which it declares is a formi-
dable engine of war. In proof of its stabil-
ity and seagoing qualities the Temps calls
attention to the recent trials which the Gus
tave-zede has successfully undergone at
Saiins d'4yeres, Marseilles. The boat pro-
ceeded from Toulon to Salins In a strong
breeze without inconvenience or hitch what
ever. TIE dome only was visible above the
water, and when the waves commenced to
trouble the little vessel it was immersed
rising at intervals to correct its course and
verify its position, which it, however, to a
certain extent was able to check and control
while under water by means OF special in
struments. The journey from Toulon to
SaFins, however, is comparatively short, and
the Gustave-Zedes seagong powers were
put to a much more severe test on a run
from Toulon to Marseilles, a distance Of
forty-one nautical miles. BY way OF extra
precauton the Gustave- Zede was accom-
panied on this journey by government tug
but, Notwithstanding a heavy sea, the voyage
was performed without any incident at an
average speed of six knots an hour, The vos-
sol remained on the surface of the water,
on board were kept closed as though the YES
sci had been navigating beneath the sur
face For seven consecutive hours the crew,
therefore, remained under conditions sim
liar to those which would have existed had
the vessel been entirely submerged. The
Temps adds that at the close of the journey
the vessels accumuators We're still in a
condition to take it back to ToulOn, but by
way of an experiment they were recharged
from the mains of the municipal electric
supply at Marseilles.
With regard to its powers as an engine Of
war, the Temps says it is not for them to
give details. It's offensive powers consist in
its torpedoes, and as proof of the effective
manner in which they can be used by the
GustAve-Zede the journal points to recent
experiments already mentioned In the
Handare in December last vessel like
the Gustave-Zede cannot be distinguished
from a cruiser at greater distance than a
mile. Here it takes its plunge reappear-
ing for little more than a second at time
till within striking distance. 1t then has
to launch its torpedo and even supposing
the larger vessel is able to bring It's quick
firing guns to bear on the boat, 1t will have
to accomplish It's task and the pigmy will
have sacrificed itself in killing the giant.
But its only visible part being the dome,
the Temps thinks it will be possible 10
build this part of the vessel sufficiently
strong to resist the projectiles OF the quick
firing guns One OF the principal objections
to the submarine torpedo boat is its partial
blindness under water, but this TO a great
extent is got over by the officer in charge
of the boat calculating the distance and
speed OF the two ships before pluuging and
making momentary appearances to verify
his course Various experiments are being
carried out in order to provide these yes
sells with eyes" and notably with an ap-
paratus known as the periscope which is
based on the principle of the darkroom In
photography, and which by means of
tube can be raised to the surface Of the
water, the vessel remaining stationary while
the observation Is made. In conclusion, says
the Temps. ut is a day torpedo boat even
more terrible than the present torpedo boat,
which should especially be used at night.
It Is blind but this inconvenience can be
overcome. For the present, however. It's
field of action is small, as it can only be
used in the coast defense service, being
in fact a vessel of defense"