The Washington times., 1902-06-01
In Experimental Stage.

''In my opinion the Holland boat does
not fulfill all the necessary requirements
of an efficient instrument of warfare.
believe that the science OF submarine
or subsurface navigation Is yet in its in
fancy and that considerable further de-
velopment must take place before 1t can
with propriety be said to have passed
beyond the experimental stage.
Apparently the so-called Holland
boats have bout reached the limit of
developmento which boats of this type
are susceptible and II we are to pro-
gress in the art. efforts should be made
to produce submarine or subsurface
boats having fewer limitations than the
Holland boats and this can only be done
by throwing the door open TO other in
vertors. I think we do not need to do
more at present than TO give such en-
couragement as will awaken an interest
in the subject and induce designers and
builders TO compete with each other in
producing the best type of submergible
or semi submergible boat.
No More Boats.
Even II believed that the boats OF
the Holland type fulfilled all the neces-
sary requirements l would not advocate
the building OF any more OF them at this
time. as when all boats now under con-
struction are completed we shall have
fifty seven torpedo boats OF various
classes. costing about ten million dol
lars exclusive OF guns. mounts. torpe-
does. and torpedo tubes, and II is
well-known fact that We have not OFF,
GERS or men TO place them in commits
sion. and that at present We have no ad-
equate means of taking care of boats
already completed, to say nothing OF
those which are to follow.
III we should build thirty additional
submarine boats of the Holland type, as
IL proposed in House bill 1874, We
should not know what to do with them,
and there Ia every reason to believe
that in a few years they would be prac-
tically useless.
II would suggest that. In order to give
a stimulus to the art. the sum OF $780,
600 be appropriated for the express pur-
pose OF enabling the Secretary OF the |
Navy. In his discretion. to contract for |
or purchase such submarine or subsur
face torpedo boats as in his judgment |
are best calculated to meet the require
ments OF the navy: the object OF such
being to encourage build
ers and designers to compete with each
other In the further development of such
craft"
Admiral Bowles' Opinion.
Rear Admiral Bowles, Chief of the
Bureau of Naval Construction. appeared
before the committee in person. While
he disapproves action of any kind rela-
i've TO the further acquisition of sub
marine boats. he suggested that II such
Lction be deemed necessary by Congress
he suggestion should take the following
orm:
THE Secretary OF the Navy is hereby
authorized to procure, in his discretion,
our or more submarine torpedo boats
# the most approved design. either by
purchase or by construction under con-
ract or in navy yards. at n cost not ex-
eeding $500. 900 for all OF such boats:
Provided that not more than one
hereof shall be procured from. or built
pon the designs Of. the same individual
r company. and:
Provided further that the Secretary
( the Navy shall. before purchasing or
for any boat in accordance
erewith, be satisfied that such boat is
r will be substantially more effective
e a weapon Of war than any of the
ubmarine boats heretofore procured OF
ow under construction for the navy,
nd the sum of $500. 900 Is hereby appro-
riated for this purpose.