The Washington times., 1902-05-27
FOR AND AGAINST
SUBMARINE BOAT
Naval Officers Testify Be-
fore Committee.
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
Admirals Melville and Bowles Opposed
to the Craft, While Captain Sigsbee
Thinks Them of Great Benefit to the
Navy.

The House Committee on Naval AZ
fairs. which has been considering the
subject OF submarine boats for several
days. yesterday gave hearings to three
naval experts, Admiral Melville, the
Chief of Engineers; Admiral Bowles. the
Chief of the Bureau of Construction and
Repair. and Captain Sigsbee, a member
of the Board OF Construction. The views
of these three c1icials do not exactly
coincide as to the merits and the value
Of submarine boats.
Admiral Melville expressed unqualified
disapProval Of them. unless he said
they could be equipped with some
power which at present is known only
to God" Admiral Bcwles. while not ap-
proving of the submarine beat In its
present state OF impcrfection, as he be-
lieved. was not so unalterably opposed
to their use as was Admiral Melville.
Captain Sigsbee expressed his faith in
submarine boats, although he said he
had never been aboard one. but he
thought they were valuable as means OF
harbor defense
Admiral Melville In his statement said
that the development of the Submarine
boat was in its infancy and that the
Holland was only scientific toy. basing
his opinion On the close theoretical
study he had given to the subject.
Views Not Changed.
r.. .l..,.ot za;a ba bod oxrracxa5 HE
vicws very forcibly on this subject a
rear md a half ago to the committee.
an6 i-d no reason to change his opinion
given at that time, that submarine boats
were not successful, nor necessary
equipment to the navy
Representative vandiver created some
amusement and brought out vigorous
protest from Admiral Melville by recall
ing to his memory en- incident OF the
first trip made by a steamer across the
Atlantic Ocean.
1T carried on its deck" said Mr..
Vandiver. "a book written by an eminent
mathematician in which he demonstrated
beyond a shadow Of doubt. according
to mathematical calculations, that no
vessel could be constructed large enough
to hold the coal which would bn re-
qulrcd to drive her across the ocean,
This is a case" added the Rcpresen-
tatire, where fact killed theory"
Representative Lessler told the ad-
miral of trip he had taken in the
Adder, a submarine boat recently COM
pleted for this Government, and sug
gested 10 the naval officer that be
make a trip in the boat and then give
the committee the result of his investi
cations.
What have you got against ne. bro
ther?" asked the admiral, good humor
edly; do you want to kill me?''
Il went down in her." responded Mr..
Lesslcr. land my life insurance policy
is as good as ever
Technical Explanation.
After technical exclamation of hy-
drogen gas the admiral said that the
chances were that the recent explo-
sions on the Fulton were caused ty
gasolene rather than by hydrogen gas,
although he admitted that the latter
cause was possible one.
Admiral F. 7. Bowles. who is ,hicf |
naval constructor explained that he |
had given the matter Of submarine |
boats careful consideration. although |
they had never come before him for
personal investigation. He had bad
very little experience with them, hut |
was familiar with their principles. He |
thought the boats were markedly de-
hcient In speed and, according to re-
ports, were infericr to foreign boats
He recommended that the Secretary CT
he Navy be allowed $500, 600 for the
purchase Of submarine boats when salts
led that the present type had been i'm
proved on or that no improvement could
Dc made at the present time.
In conclusion, Admiral Bowles said
1 ccnsider Ely opiaion on technical
matters more valuable than those mys-
erious things termed technical meth
IDS
Favored by Sigsbee.
Capt. Charles d. Sigsbee, chic. intel
igoncc officer of the Navy Department
md n member Of the Board on Construc-
ion. was the last witness TO testify
!o differed radically with Admiral Mel
lille as to the moral value of a subma-
iae beat.
Its mora! Influence is something tro-
remarked Captain Sigsbee,
specially when you consider that such
boat can make an attack at any time,
I'd the cnciay arc powerlcss to prevent
+"
Captain s!gsbce went on the hypoth-
sis that the boat would be perfectly
cuippcd. and II so would be a most
alueblc Ear5or defense. and as such
ould take the place Of battleships.
Captain Sigsbee testified that he had
ever been on a submarine boat. but was
onversant with the subject from reports
c had read and opinions expressed to
i'm by different officers of the navy, and
4 commenting on the testimony Of Cap ,
ain Wainwright Lieutenant Caldwell
nd Ensign Powell, all advocating sub
iarine boats. Captain Sigsbee declared
@ had absolute faith in the facts as J
dduccd by these officers before the com (
iittcc.
UNIVERSAL SIJEERhGE