Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-14

Perhaps this story of the appropri- )ation of millions for new engines or war would not look we'll or harmonize with an account of the latest discus jsions of the International Peace Fri bunal, but nevertheless it makes in- lteresting reading matter, for 1t IS a fact that the last congress voted t$3, 100000 for the purchase of subma- rine boats, and it is also fact that in Ispite of the many adverse criticisms lon this freak of the navy, this nation, as well as other world powers, are Isteadily developing this under-the-sea Eterror, and are gradually collecting lQuite fleet of them.
 It seems no longer to be question las to whether submarines shall be built, but rather which of the several types of boats which have been pro- lduced is the best and the most worthy Ito be used as a pattern to follow in building thoss which will be purchas- ed with the three million dollars of the peoples money. Submarines have undoubtedly obtained big and de- finite place in the general scheme of defence in the United States. They are recognized as an important factor in naval warfare, so that a new type of boat called the Octopus, built by the Electric Boat company, possesses peculiar interest For the Octopus is regarded by many experts as the highest type yet attained in this style of naval weapon. They call her the last word among the deadly sub- merged craft which are built to steal upon and destroy the battleship of the enemy.
 There are scores of reasons, says its inventor, for calling the Octopus the greatest of all submarine craft. She is the biggest, to begin with. With la length of 105 feet, she makes the early type of submarine look like toy. In spite of her greatly superior bulk she is more easily handled and guided than the smaller craft.
 Her size and capacity are consid. cred as confidential by the navy de- partment, the only figures given out so far being that her length is 105 feet and displacement about 300 tons. Unofficial timing when running over the trial course shows here to have a speed of about F knots on the surface and nine knots submerged.
 What would be the part such ves- Isel would play in a naval war?
 She could sink beneath the surface of the sea, and completely out of sight of any possible enemy, travel any de- sired distance, rise to the surface so that only the top of the periscope would be showing. and launch tor pedo at an opposing battleship. Then down she could go again. And if the torpedo struck home, down the battle ship would go, also. never to rise again.
 These torpedoes give the ordinary individual an uncanny feeling. even to think of them. At a speed of 8 knots an hour. six feet below the surface of the water, so as to strike a warship below the armor belt, torpedo huns along. leaving a trail of foam, 16 feet eight inches of menacing power driv- ing straight from the goal. In the war head of the torpedo are from 250 to 300 pounds of gun cotton, enough to sink the strongest vessel atioat, or to blow I'D a town, and at the extreme fin of the rushing monster Is war nose. an extremely sensitive "can" that causes the torpedo tc explode when it strikes an object A subma- rine can stand of a distance of three quarters of e mile from a warship and launch a torpedo that will reach its destination.
 It's not beautiful thing to think of, death and destruction stealing from the sea below the surface upon huge vessel of war filled with human be- fuEs. It makes all precautions seem vain and useless, and the usual ele- raents of warfare are discounted. But theu Marquis of Queensbury rules do not apply in actual war. and there is nothing to prevent hitting below the beIs-especially below the armOT belt
 If the Octopus made a hit with each of her torpedoes. her part in a naval engagement would be the utter de struetion of four battleships. not bad achievement for a boat which is only