Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-11-27
With Movable Base OF Supply lis
Believed Thsg Can Protect Coast.
THEY'RE NO loNGERAH,txpERInEHI
Are Now Regarded as Formidable
Fighting Machines, Capable of En-
uaalns in Extensive crulsins-u. s.
Profl.ed From other Countries,

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Nov. 20
Details of the mobile defense plans
of the navy in which the submarines
are to he extensively employed, have
caused renewed discussion as to the
comparative safety OF these boats.
Under plans now being matured the
gnnboat Castlne will be fitted with
electrical apparatus of high capacity
an air compressor. and u small repair
shop. This arrangement Is designed
to extend their activities by providing
them with II movable base. The ne
cessity of their remninIng within easy
access of IL shore station will In this
way be obvlated and they will be
provided with ready source of cleo.
trlclty and compressed air. upon
which they are dependent without
taxing their own machinery to de-
velop this power 1t Is contemplated
that this plan Will extend their use
funess rs n means of warfare to the
entire Atlantic coast.
Decision to adopt the plans outlin-
ell is regarded as marking n distinct
advance in the administration of the
Navy Department rs TO the ayaila.
bility, and incidentally the safety. of
the submarine. Naval officers are
convinced that the submarine is not
to lie longer considered us an expert
meht, hut as fighting machine. fully
capable Of extensive coast cruising
operations with as much safety MS
larger craft, provided proper precau-
tons are observed.
Much OF the apprehension which
mas been felt IN TO submarines has
Deen outside Of navy circles, and
where the boats are not well under
stood. The present policy of the de.
partment is based on the theory that
with reasonable degree of care no
greater percentage of accidents need
Do expected In connection with sub.
marines than with other naval ves-
sells. Closely connected with this Is
the growing belief that their use may
be with safety extended and that they
should at once he placed on n war
footing. The danger OF limiting the
sphere OF the submarine to an extent
which will greatly diminish its use.
fulness Is now fully realized. The de.
partment Is impressed with the idea
that 1t would he better to have no
boats of this character than to permit
their activities to be so limited as TO
damage their efficiency in time of
war.
The United States Navy has profit
ed by the attention which has been
directed to lack OF care or structural
Weakness which has resulted from the
aecidents 10 the British Al and AS
the French Farfadet and the Russian
Delhn. In all OF these accidents the
seat OF the trouble has been in some
way connected with the vessels
match. A long step toward the pre-.
vention OF this hatch trouble has been
taken In the suggestion of another
watertlght hatch at the base Of the
coming tower.
In extending the work OF the sub.
marines the Navy Department has
also made provision for their add.
tional protection. The use of every
precautfon will be Impressed uuon
the officers in direct charge of the
boats. bearing In mind always that
thts care is not TO he allowed TO re-.
strict operations. They Will also he
guarded AGAINST being run down while
manoeuvring.
difficulty which has arisen in
connection with the wider employ.
nent of the submarines and torpedo
hoats after the departure OF the At.
lautic heet Is the scarcity of officers
and men. The graduation of classes
rom tho naval academy and increas.
cd percentage OF enlistments are.
However looked for to overcome this