University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-09-14
MORE TORPEDOESF FOR
UNITED STATES NAVY
Officials Are Convinced of
Their Effectiveness on
Defense.
SHOTS ARE VERY ACCURATE
In a Theoretical Engage
ment, Five Ships Were
Destroyed.

WASHlNGTON.-Recent tests o.
the practical use of torpedoes for of
fensive warfare on the high sea:
'have convinced high naval authori
ties that this government should bt
more plentifully supplied with these
little engines of destruction. The re-
suit is that an order has just been
placed abroad by the navy depart,
ment for nearly 200 torpedoes of the
very latest design.
Commander Volney o. Chase, one
of the great torpedo experts of the
government, has been sent to Eng
land personally to superintend the
work of construction. He will be
stationed at the plant of the White
head Torpedo company at Weymouth
and will remain there until the en-
tire order has been filled
The fact is, according to good au-
thority, the navy is just beginning to
see the great possibilities of the tor
pedo. In the past there has been a
wide difference of opinion among
members of the general board and
other ordnance experts as to the real
value of these weapons. This differ
ence of opinion caused the govern
ment to go slow in putting out mon
ey for tOrpedOes.
Department Changes.
Now, however, a decided change
has come over the navy department.
A year ago the maneuvers off Cape
Cod convinced many authorities that
more of these little crafts should be
purchased. This conviction was
strengthened by the results gained
little later by the Atlantic fleet
during its torpedo practice in Lower
Chesapeake Bay. The climax came,
however, in the recent work during
the Long Island Sound maneuvers a
few weeks ago.
While the full report of Admiral
Osterhaus, who commanded the fleet
during this work, has not been re
ceived, enough information has come
t. the department to show that the
of the torpedo craft
were, in theory, deadly in the ex-
treme. In fact. the torpedoes "des-
troyed" more than half of the yes
sells engaged in the war game.
According to one report which has
been received there were five actual
hits by torpedoes out of the six that
were launched. That means that
five battleships were theoretically de-
stIOyed in one engagement. And
the distance was from 1000 to 5000 |
yards or the longest ever attempted
for this class of work.
Greatest Accuracy.
In still another engagement, there
were four hits out of five Shots Each |
torpedo was directed at a battleship.
Those which did not strike went be-
tween vessels of the opposing fleet,
excellent craftsmanship.
During this last test, the new type
o. torpedo was used with effect. This |
Is prime line instrument with the
'war-head" on. The charge was a |
of course, but the war-head
left distinct marks upon the battle
ships that were touched. This en-
abled the divers to determine def |
n!tely the impact upon the ships
armOr. The strikes were of suffi-
cient force, it was found, to have
the instrument. had act
Ial war conditions prevailed.
The results of the Long Island |
Sound practice were so startling and |
that Lieutenant Command
Ter Palmer. who was in charge of
he target practice, has announced |
hat 1t will be repeated in September, !
when the fleet engagec in maneu-
'ers again off the Virginia capes.