Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-14
NAVY HAS FAITH IN
SUBMARINE BOATS
With Movable Base Of Supply 1t Be-
Iieves They Can Protect Entire
Atlantic Coast-No Longer
an Experiment

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-Details of the
mobile defense plans of the navy In
which submarines are to be extensively
employed, announced in the Herald TO-
day, have caused renewed discussion as
to the comparative safety Of these boats.
Under plans now being mature1 t"e
gunboat Castine will be fitted with cleo
trical apparatus of high capacity, an air
compressor and a small repair shop. This
arrangement is designed to extend their
activities by providing them with a NOV
able base. The necessity of their remain
ing within easy access of a shore station
will in this way be obviated and they Will
be provided with a ready source of elec-
tricity and compressed air, upon which
they are dependent, without taxing their
own machinery to develop this power. 1t
is contemplated that this plan will ex-
tend their usefulness as means OF war
fare to the entire Atlantic coast.
Decision to adopt the plans outlined is
regarded as marking distinct advance
in the administration of the navy depart
ment as to the availability and inciden-
tally the safety of the submarine. Naval
officers are convinced that the submarine
is not to be longer considered as an ex-
pertinent, but as fighting machine, fully
capable of extensive coast cruising opera
tions with as much safety as larger
observed.
Much of the apprehension which has
been felt as to submarines has been out
side of navy circles, and where the boats
are not well understood. The present
policy Of the department is based on the
theory that with a reasonable degree of
care no greater percentage of accidents
need be expected in connection with sub
marines than with other naval vessels.
fn1 with lie tc hn
ing belief that their use may be with
safety extended and that they should at
once be placed on war footing. The
danger of limiting the sphere of the sub
marine to an extent which will greatly
diminish its usefulness is now fully real
lied The department is impressed with
the idea that it would be 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 profited
by the attention which has been directed
to lack of care or structural weakness
which has resulted from the accidents to
the British AL and AS, the French Far
fadet and the Russian Delfin. In all of
these accidents tine seat Of the trouble
has been in some way connected with the
vessels hatch. A long step toward the
prevention of this hatch trouble has been
taken III LHe SuBSeStlOu Ol duotHer water
tight hatch at the base of the coming
tower.
In extending the work of the subma-
rines the navy department has also made
provision for their additional protection.
The use of every precaution will be i'm
pressed upon the officers, in direct charge
of the boats, bearing in mind always that
this care is not to be allowed to restrict
operations. They will also be guarded
agai.lst being run down while mareu-
vering.
A difficulty which has arisen in con-
nection with the wider employment of
the submarines and torpedo boats after
the departure of the Atlartic fleet is the
scarcity Of officers and men. The grad
uation of classes from the naval academy
and increased percentage of enlistments
are. however, looked for to overcome this
trouble.