Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15

tiating for similar boats. No country ex-
cept France has undertaken the construc-
ton of submergible vessels, on the ground
that the difference in time required to sink
a submergible vessel and diving torpedo
boat is SO great as to handicap the former.
One of the principal requirements of the
submarine torpedo boat is that 1t shau be
able to rise to the surface and sink again
almost in a flash, as bullet from the
lightest gun on board an armor-clad, II 1t
struck its hull, would send it to the bot
tom. The submarine depends entirely upon
the water for protection, as it's hull is con-
structed of the lightest steel.
improvements on the Holland.
In general design the new vessels follow
the Holland but the experience gained with
her has enabled many Improvements to be
incorporated into the new boats. The Hol-
land was built by her contractors and then
sold outright to the Navy Department,
while the new vessels have been construct
ed under contract with the department and
under its inspection. Without sacrihcing
hardness, the increase In dimensions ana
displacement has enabled the designers 10
provide much more roomy and habitable
vessels, with an improved armament ana
very considerable increase in speed and ra-
dill of action. The extra surface power pro-
Vided permits the batteries or air masks TO
be recharged while proceeding at speed OF
about six knots on the surface. The &C
ceptance trials of these vessels as compared
those
surface torpedo boats and deStroyers Will
be severe and searching.
The Holland was required only 10 demon
Strate her ability to run awash at good
speed; ability to dive and rise readily and
with certainty; ability to run under water
at depths from ten to thirty-tive feet for ten
minutes at a speed of about six knots per
hour while maintaining reasonably steady
course, both in the vertical and horizontai
planes; ability to maneuver with quickness
and certainty; and the possession OF sum-
cent apparatus for raising, lowering and
trimming the vessel and handling and fir
ing torpedoeS.
The new vessels are required to maintain
a speed of at least eight knots on the sur
face in the light condition for an hour
and quarter and a speed of at least seven
knots in an intermediate condition on the
surface for about one and one-haf hours.
They will also be required to make a two
mile submerged run at seven knots, dis
charging a torpedo at the end of the run,
which must strike target representing
the vitals of a battle ship. The endurance
trials include a twenlve-hour run at full
speed on the surface and a three-hour run
at full speed submerged During these
speed and endurance trials the vessels
must demonstrate all the submarine quail
ties possessed by the Holland. Sustained
speed trials of ordinary surface torpedo
boats and destroyers are of one hours
duration and of battle ships of four hours
duration. so that q greater proportion of
the capabilities of these novel vessels will
be demonstrated by actual trial than is the
case for older and well-known type. AS
the boats will be accepted if they make
only six knots submerged, six knots awash
and seven knots in the light condition, there
is abundance of leeway between what is
acceptable TO the department and what is
considered as fulfilling all of the rigorous
conditions laid down.
Interesting Comparisons.
comparison of the dimensions of the
Moccasin and Adder with those of the Hol-
land shows that the Moccasin is IS feet 4