New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
MOTOR BOATS FOR WAR
British Naval Authorities May
Use Private Yachts.
PLAN TO OFFER A SUBSIDY
Yachtsmen Considering Scheme
of Building a New Type of
Vessel, Easily Convertible.
From The rribune's Correspondent. ]

From The Trbune's correspondent
London. Jan. ls.-The British naval au-
thorities have now under consideration
the question of using privately owned
motor boats and motor yachts in time OF
war, and the statement is made that these
craft will be given auxiliary places in
the scheme Of coast defence. In many
places on the coasts OF the British Isles
the Admiralty is constructing oil reser-
voirs. and a committee OF motor yacht
experts. with Sir Frederick lngleheld as
chairman, has been appointed 10 inquire
into the uses to which motor boats could
be put In war time.
No suggestion has been made. or Is
likely 10 he made, that any OF the exist
ing motor pleasure craft could be USED
for offensive purposes in time or war
but there is well founded belief that
many OF the existing boats, suitably
equipped and placed in the hands OF ma
val crews. could deputize for torpedo
craft in patrol work In creeks and estu-
aries. This would free for higher tact,-
cal work many small craft that under the
present arrangements are bound to cruise
within strictly limited waters.
It is believed that in the event OF the
Admiralty offering a subsidy 10 craft
| that can be converted from pleasure TO
war purposes at short notice. there are
numerous wealthy motor yachtsmen who
will be willing 10 fall in with the re-
ouirements Realizing this feeling ana
anticipating the governments awaken
ing 10 the possibilities of the motor boat,
"The Motor Ship and Motor Boat re-
Gently published from the pens or eN-
perts some details of new type or mo-
tor craft which might in peace times
proye "A handsome and comfortable cruis-
ing vessel, yet in times OF crisis be
transformed at short notice into a USE
full unit for coastal defence.
This vessel <nown as torpedo yacht,
will be 100 feet in length. have beam
az 4, feet n draft of feet and speed OF
., knots. The engines would be OF a type
using heavy oil. and of such power in pro-
norton TO the capacity OF the OIL TANKS
that a run OF one thousand miles could be
conducted at full speed without replenish-
ment
In peace time this vessel would provide
eight cabins or nine berths for the owner
and his friends. and accommodations for
ward for the skipper. two engineers, one
deckhand. "A cook and a boy. In war
time similar accommodation would be
available to that found OF destroyers.
In war time simple but effective trans
formations would be made. The saloon
amidships would be removed, and It's
Mace taken by the mountings of r.
FOUNDER auick-fring gun Extra boats
would also be carried on deck, 10 meet
the Admiralty requirements. Aft the
deckhouse would be mounted H-tnch
torpedo tube. capable OF dlscharging a
torpedo with an effective radius Of two
miles. Two spare torpedoes would be car
ried on deck.
Such a boat. which would have keel
of similar strength to that OF existing
torpedo boats, would have the distinct
advantage of being able to patrol and
mancruyre In shallower waters. The Brit
ish coastal defence destroyers of the Cad
fly class have an extreme length of l6j
feet and "A craft OF feet The torpedo
Yacht proposed has Il draft OF only 4 feet.