The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-25
Feat Of e.e Holland Boat in Leaving New
Hank Torpedo AGAINST the Hull Of the
kearsargr, Five Miles 0at at sea. Has
Made an imPressien-i IL Nav at Annapo-
lis, " here Cadets Are Learning to Run La.


the appropriation for six submarine boats
OF the same type as the Holland tor the
United States navy.
The seawOrthiness and practicability of
the Holland had been fully demonstrated
by tests in Peconic Bay previous TO its
visit to this city. These tests were made
before a board from the Navy Depart
ment, and while the majority OF the mem
hers Of the board reported favOrably upon
the new craft, there were still others in
the Navy Department who were hostile
to the type of boat. and sought every
pretext to prevent the purchase of that
vessel and the building OF others of sim
liar type by the United States govern
ment. Nothing daunted by the action of
these naval officers, .he Holland Com
pany. with the inventor Of the wonderful
craft, Mr.. John Holland, Immediately
brought the boat to Washington, where ii
would be directly under the eyes of Con-
gress, and where the members of the
House and Senate, as we'll as army and
navy officers and other officials, would be
practically compelled to see the workings
of the craft.
Numerous demonstrations were given
before the Naval Committee of the House
and Senate and invited guests. As result,
before the end of the season, Congress be-
ing SO wholly satisfied with the exhibition
of the boat, the appropriation was made
for the construction of six boats. One other
is being built in place of the reconstruc-
tion of the Plunger. These vessels are
now building-five on the Atlantic coast
and two on the Pacific coast, and before
the close of the coming year the diminu-
tive peace-makers will be placed among
the sea fighters of the American navy.
Feats of the Holland.
The original Holland, which was pur-
chased by the government early this year,
was taken from the Washington Navy
Yard TO Newport where last summer it
won additional distinction in the naval
maneuvers Of that port. II was later
taken TO the Naval Academy at Annap-
oils, where classes are being instructed
in the workings of the vessel. One of the
engineers of the Holland Company. who
was in the city a few days ago. had just
from Annapolis, where the HOl-
land is stationed.
f"There is great interest manifested in
the little boat by the officers stationed at
the academy" said he in speaking to a
Post reporter regarding the vessel, more
particularly on account of her record at
last summer. 1t viii be remem-
bered that during the naval maneuvcrs
there while in charge of her present COM
mander, Lieut.. II. II. Caldwell, and the
navy crew, the Holland slipped out OF
the harbOr unseen, notwithstanding the
ssarehlights. and went fve miles out to
sea and tOrpedoed the flagship of the
feet, the KSarsarge. The tor
pedOins was diSalloWed OH the technical
ity that the Kearsarge had already been
tOrpedoed by another vessel, notWith-
standing that this fact was not known TO
the Hollands commander. This. howev-
er, did not detract from the Holland S
for the commander of the
Kearsarge, Capt. Folger, had been unable
To see her until she announced herself
Capt Folger was so impressed with this
attack that he reported to the Navy De-
partment that it was clear that the Hol-
land type will play a very serious part
in future naval warfare, and that there
was no doubt whatever but that the Hol-
land could approach a ship unseen, either
by night or day. The fact that $l70, 900
boat could blow up a 5000. 600
battle-ship the first time the experiment
was ever tried set the naval experts to
These new submarine boats will contain
many Improvements over the original Hol-
land. While similar in construction. they
will be somewhat larger and capable of
carrying five tOrpedOes instead of three.
They will have a greater radius OF ac-
tion, both while on the surface and sub
merged. The increase in size will give
the crews more room and freedom of ac-
tion in handling the torpedoes. machin-
cry, valves. and gearing. The new yes
sells will be fitted throughout with every
device that has presented itself ana been
developed. Absolutely no new principles,
however, over the original Holland are
involved in the plans for the new boats.
In fact, the principles adopted for the
first boat OF this type ever built are be-
ing carefully carried out in these plans.
The dimensions of the Holland are:
Length over all, 53 feet inches; diameter,
% feet 3 inches; displacement. submeTg-
ed. 70 tons. The Holland is fitted with
gas engine Of the Otto type. OF fOrty-five
which is capable OF driving
the vessel at a rate OF about six knots
an hour while running on the surface.
Sufficient fuel can be stored in her tanks
10 give her radius Of action Of about 30
miles. The electrical apparatus for pro
pulsion while submerged consists Of A
motor. The Holland
carries three whitehead tOrpedoes.
The dimensions for the new boat now
under construction for the government
are: Length over all, e3 feet inches;
diameter IL feet inches; displacement.
ID tons. All Of these boats
will be fitted with engines Of the Otto
type, developing Ito horsepower for run
ming on the surface and give the vessel
4 speed q a5out nine knots. while a sew
enty no CSSer electric motor will drive
the cri [, .se submerged. The boats
will be .Habi9 OF diseharging tOrpedOes
while 81 = st. running on the surface.
or While ssome rg-d. AZ all speeds. One
Of the rnain features OF the new boats viii
be the arrangement Of trimming and bal
last tanks and tba mechanism for keep
ing the boats at proper displacement,
whether IN salt or fresh water. These
tanks are filed or emptied automatically
so as 20 give the boats proper buoyancy.
The diving and steering rudders viii be
greatly improved. and the appearance OF
the supersrTucture slightly different
More Vessels 10 Be Built
Ine hoiland Nphpdny Is having bult
for itself a boat similar TO those beinS
for the government at Nixon's
ship yards In Jersey. This boat Il was
expected would-be finished In time To have
in Washington during January. but as the
work Is beaindhand. 1t Is not expected
that the craft cen reach here until after
Tie adjournmeaf Of Congress in March.
Mr.. ElihG 3. Frost. Of New York, the sec
retary OF the Holland Company. who spent
the winter Ii this city last year during the
stay OF the Holland, has again returned
To Washington, and will remain while
Congress is in session. He has had sew
erai conferences with Navy Department
officials regarding the new boats The
Is DESTROYS Of having Congress
az this session authorize the building Of a
rilrrllar lf This fNne nf s-ar ,e.znf.. 80 4.