The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-02-10

the vessel by 90 much and cemmunioatinn
3 strong upward tendency equal 10 Atcut
thirty -one tons to the bow OF the vessel
on account Of Its great leverage from the
centre OF buoyance.
II necessary the engines may be stopped
aud the part Of the driving gear thas
failed adjusted; but. II the trouble b NOS
can Re done by hand. Water may be re-
adpitted TO the bow section w ALLOWING
the air charge TO escape, and opening the
valve al the bottom Of the chamber.
The first part Of the submerged run 10
made with steam, but In about one nin-
ute the pressure In the boiler Is exhaust
ed ard the temperature greatly reduced.
Steam Is then shut OF, the large dynamo
started and the friction clutches on the
engine screw shafts opened. The vessel
can then proceed on the submerged run
with the power derived from the storage
batteries. Should IL DO desired to stop or
lie still submerged, but mot on the bot
spaces. or diving tanks, are allowed to
MI with water BY permitting the air they
contain to escape. II 10 be advisable to
remain below the surface Of the water
without going to the bottom while In
soundings, instead Of expanding power to
overcome the small remaining reserved
buoyancy, the vessel may be anchored and
the apparatus controlling the horizontal
rudiers adjusted to hold the vessel at the
depth required. She will lie there with :
out much change of level. unless there IL
absolutely no current or sideway.
When 10 IL necessary to come near the
surface for observation. either when NOV
placed between tho projections on the
turret and slightly to one aide may be
raised to the height Of four feet above
the top Of the turret. This 10 capable Of
being revolvsd so that the whole horison
may be swept; hut. II moving rapidly, II
is very much more satisfactory to bring
the vessel to the surface Of the water,
allowing tt 9 top OF the turret to pro1ect
for q few seconds, An all-around view
may thus no obtained and bearings cor-
reeted without revealing any noticeable
bulk above the surface, and this move
ment can be made rapidly enough to pre-
vent the possibility OF Its being sighted,
fred upon and nit by anything larger
than rifle bullets.
Thirty cubic feet OF air at pressure Of
200 pounds per 80 uare inch are carried
| In the air reservoirs This volume OF air
| Is more than sufficient for the supply OF
the crew during six hours submergence-
| the usual maximum time Of q submerged
| run-lsaving an abundant reserve for
operating the hydraulic cylinders and the
| water ballast, But II BY any chance the
supply Of air should run outfit, for In
stance, there were no opportunity OF stor-
ing air while the vessel was on the sur
face-the supply can he renewed while
So Emerged or lying on the bottom In
water less than fifty feet deep, by allow
| Ing float, carry ing two-inch hose pipe
on reel placed aft Of the After compan-
ionway In the superstructurs to rise to
the surface Of the water carry Ing ths hose
pipe with 10 and holding IL open and
above the -surface. The connection with
this reel mar be carried to a ANAL air
compressor, driven by he small dynamo
aft, and Q lsufHoieut quantity Of air for
| several hours use stored In . few
minutes time. The boat can lie indef-
n teiy under the same conditions. renew
ing the supplys OF air as may te re-
quire6.
During an action the diver will proba-
bly, be very short, as the boat will be
Obliged to go under water only. when
menaoed with torpedoes carried by tor
| psdo coats and when IL 10 necessary to
approach the vessel attacked unobssrvsd,
Rapid live guns may be dtsregarded. Ad.
vantage may be taken Of the practical
| inv ulnerability Of the vessel when run
ming a.wash with full steam power to dc
large pait Of its work on the surface oil
the water. Its attack will be more RI pid
and more certain, especially II the ship
oan bs intercepted.
while running at full speed can be made.
pro badly, In 90 seconds During thii
time q 20.knot torpedo boat can run only
225 yards. 4 dive can be made from ths
a-wash condition when at half speed
in 10 seconds, and 20.knot torpedo
boat can cover no more than IL
yards in the same time. There
IL. therefore, but small probability that
the onset Of the submarine bont can b
warded of by any o.her means than th'
| superior speed OF the vessel attacked.