New-York tribune., 1909-07-09
NEW SUBMARINE BOATS
Nc Radical Changes COnt6m plated
by Nara Department.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington. July S.-Thc naval authorities are
considering the type Of the submarines soon to he
built. Congress the last session authorized the
construction Of four Of these vessels besides three
boats o. special typs. described carrying their
vital parts below ;he waterne. The legislation
for these three vessels applies To design. and
their purchase depends the demonstration the
builders able t. make with couRiete boat.
Tho requirements psing drawn by the board
on construction and the General Board, and relate
70 such qualities as speed and endurance. The
naval strategists do particularly favor thar
type Of boat. although II is recognized that pro
lection is given to the vital parts by submergence.
Al the same time such a boat does tho
purpose OF the submarine. which has a better form
Of the same Of protection. with the added
advantage Of secrecy Of movement
As for the submarines. there will probably be a
contest between the three firms whose types have
already been adopted-the type furnished by the
Electric Roat Company. the Lake type and the
laurent type. The appropriation does justify
the acceptance OF any radical changes from the
types under construction. Neither will there
be an increase the displacement. Indeed.
that particular there is we'll defined view that
the submarine need for all practical purposes
be of greater displacement than four hundred
tons. and Of the experts hold that the sin
hundred ton submarine represents the maximum
displacement Of that type and that there will be
A return the smaller boat which is considered
possess sufficient radius OF action In the com
-.ratively restricted In which the submarine
" II be employee. The submarine is destined TO
ind its greatest value in hsrbor protection
ne -tiou with the coast fortihcations When it il
used I'm fleet operations in open naval engage
nents II will probably he carried q batteship
and lowered the deck when il is desired
use II In submarine attack The submarine in that
particular function is unknown quantity. al
though the advocates of submarine attack say that
IL can bc used in deep sea operations effectively
and with no more peril TO the occupants than when
used in harbor defence.
The requirements Of the Navy Department in re-
gard to the new submarine will be- therefore. SINH
lar to which have prevailed in the last year
or two. These specify certain achievements OF
w hich the submarine must be capable IN the way
of direction of attack and period of submersence )
The submarine now under construction came up to
these requirements. and the demands OF the de-
partlnent regarded excessive by the dc )
signers of the present boats. Some improvements /,
have been made. of course. but they of a minor !
technical character. and while enhancing the value
of the submarine Introduce revolutionary factor !
in design equipment operation
The contest for tho contract win be keen. and the ,
naval authorities understand that the question of
final determination viii be carried 10 the Secretary,
and perhaps the President. has been the case
hitherto The award of 4 contract for type of :
he readily understood the manufactured of types
designated as meeting the governments require
ments This means only the adoption of types
for the American navy. but is recommends ton
Of considerable value in the negotiations abroad