Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17
REPORT ON THE HOLLAND
Admiral Dewey and His Aid, Lieut.. 0ald-
well, Approve It
Memorandum Sent to Naval Committee
of the House-A Talk With
the Inventor.

Admiral Dewey has sent to Representa-
tive Foss, acting chairman Of the House
committee on naval affairs, letter inclos-
| ing a copy of a memorandum prepared by
his aid, Lieut.. H. H. Caldwell, upon the
tests of the submarine torpedo boat Hol-
land. held on the Potomac last Wednesday.
| Lieut.. Caldwell was aboard the Holland
during the trials, and in the course of his
report says:
Throughout the performance there was
no accident hitch of any sort, and the
ease with which either part of the mech
anism was manipulated was particularly
impressing.
Each member of the crew had a special
station, where he remained during the
runs. Although these men were all highly
skilled and showed confidence due to
their long service in the boat, l think the
duties could be easily performed by the
petty officers of the navy after a short trial
The boat did not roll and she only pitched
slightly at the time of diving, and she
righted Immediately after attaining the re-
CURED depth. The torpedo was discharged
with the greatest ease. Only very slight
shock occurred to the boat when the tor
pedo was fired
Crew at Work.
1.-THE captain gave orders to the en-
gineer by the ordinary method of bells and
to the torpedo men and pump men by word
of mouth. The loud noise made by the
gearing of the propelling engine at all times
when under way made it necessary for the
word to be passed by several men; but at
no time was there the slightest confusion or
hesitation in obeying orders. When sub
merged the boat was kept at the chosen
depth without any difficulty by means of
the horizontal rudder. The evenness of the
immersion was well shown by the depth
mn a ho hna pr,,Nlr rant
from the other vessels from the positions
of the flags.
ut is worthy of note that from the first
immersion the water as seen through the
headlights was entirely Opaque and at the
maximum depth it looked almost black.
During the nearly three hours we were in
the boat the air was entirely sweet
Admiral Dewey's Approval.
In transmitting the memorandum to Rep
resentative Foss, Admiral Dewey Endorsed
it, and also approved that part of it in
which Lieut. Caldwell expressed the opin-
ion that determined enemy with a sub
marine boat of the Holland type could have
made the occupation of Manila bay by the
admirars squadron impossible
The inventor, Nh John G. Holland, and
the Representatives of the Holland Torpedo
Boat Company in this city, including Pres
1dent Rice and Mr. c. e. Creecy. expressed
themselves today as being very much grati-
fled at Admiral Dewey's action, but were
not surprised at ii, owing to their conf
dence in the craft Mr.. Holland, in con-
NerSatlon with Star reporter, said he was
naturally very much pleased. AS well
known, Mr.. Holland is an Irishman and
was schoolmaster at Cork when he first
undertook to solve the problem of sub
marine navigation.
This is ST. Patriclls day, you know, and
the second anniversary as well of the first
successful dive of the Holland, so the fact
OF such high commenda ton of the boat
in
notable one.
Submarine Boat Development.
Il may say that there is considerable mis-
apprehension about the state of development
to which submarine navigation can be
brought. l can state that its stature. so
to speak, has been reached when the ques-
ton of efficiency is considered The prob
lens of power to run it and control 1t
readily are all solved and are now simple
But it would never do to have big subma-
rine boats. The plans for my boats,
which include many improvements over the
Holland. call for vessels somewhat larger.
The horse power in the Holland is forty
1--WE, this can be increased to $50. | have
also plans for smaller boats than the Hol-
land, which two three men will be able
to navigate, and which will carry three
tcrpedoeS.
High Speed Vniueiesx.
High speed is valueless in submarine nav
igation,' he continued. Even a fish going
at a rapid rate just beneath the surface
of the water leaves a break on top. To be
efficacious the submarine boat must be able
to move in secrecy and speed of ten
knots an hour is great as permissible 10
assure this quality. A large boat. too
could not be handled with the rapidity and
readiness of a smaller craft. A small boat
diving like 4 porpoise is the requisite thing
in submarine navigation. 1t can approach
an enemy's vessel. pop to the surface to
observe its whereabouts. sink Immediately
and after getting within striking distance
rise again, discharge its torpedo and again
go under water and retreat