New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-22
THE FUTURE OF THE SUBMARINE.


Almost simultaneously with the departure OF
Mr. Lakes Protector from this country, for use
by either Russia or Japan in the East, paper
OH the possible improvement of the submarine
boat was read before the United Service Insti-
tuition in London. 1t presented by Alan
II. Burgoyne, who, though not himself a mill
tary man, is the author of much the most
complete book ever written about this type OF
vessel. In the formal discussion OF Mr.. Bur
goyne's views by naval experts his recon-
nendatons received no hearty approval, yet
even the unfaYorable comment which was clio
tied doubtless exercised an educating influence
on many Of the auditors.
The most radical OF Mr.. Burgoyne's PROPOSE
tons was that the submarine should be larger
and very much faster than it is. He would
have it equal the destroyer in both. tonnage
and speed. No doubt something can be said
for such policy, but many more reasons can
be advanced for retaining the present low
speed and small displacement The primary
function of a submarine is the defence of n
naval base against bockuders. A comparatively
limited radius OF action is necessary, and there
seems 10 be littIe chance OF such boat being
obliged 10 operate In particularly rough water.
It is not yet obvious that q greater speed than
eight ten knots on the surface, or five or six
when fully submerged, would increase its
efficiency. Being concealed when at work. il
should not be necessary 10 run. AS its prey
would lie at anchor would scarcely move,
there would be no need Of pursuit. on the
other hand. the additional size which would be
requisite IL a high velocity were developed
would sometimes be a distinct disadvantage mt
a critical moment The quickncss with which
submergence can be effected depends largely
on the bulk IL the boat \ delay OF minute
or two might lead 10 detection and annihla-
ton. The smaller The submarine the sooner she
could get out Of sight.
Furthermore II 1t were ever desirable 70
transfer a SUI marine IN hurry TO q point sew
cral thousand miles or II would be much easier
10 put her on battleship. cruiser transport or
freight train if she weighed only 40 or 100
tons than # he weighed from 800 To 800 tons
More small f1ats than large ones can hc built
and equippel for the same sum Of money
Finally a given store of power would proba
bly, give lat a greater mileage when sub
merged IL ST.. were driven five miles an hour
than if she ran at twice that speed.
1t was ais, suggested in the talk before the
United Seryl,e Institution that the submarine
should be .Cided with small rapid fire gun
This idea s., ms even more absurd than the
other. such boat should defend herself 10y
getting undo water not openly fighting an
antagonist y hirh would be both faster and
bigger than herself. Indeed, gun WouId Dc
worse than useless 1t would he an lncum-
brance adding TO the weight OF the submarine
and requiring special protection from water dur
ing periods ,f submcrgence-tha is 10 say, II
II were mou,ned outside Of and on top of the
boat.
No one ima gincs that the submarine has yet
reached its full development The fact that
nearly every naval power has model which
differs more or less from that of In" others
shows that there is no absolute agreement in
regard to essentials. This diversity will help
the evolution of the ideal craft, but much more
can be learned from peaceful man~uvres and
practical tests in real warfare If both Russia
and japan should try even imperfect boats be
fore the close Of the pending conflict In the
East. the demonstration could hardly fail 10
prove valuable TO the rest Of the world, as well
as 10 themselves