New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-16
Commander Stirling TeSti-
hes Battery Troubles
Cause Difficulty.
MAKES PLEA FOR
BETTER TENDERS
Committee to Decide To-
day About Asking ROOse-
Welt for His Views.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, Dec. lo.-Ihe House
Committee or Naval Affairs heard from
Commander Yates Stirling to-day A de-
tailed explanation of how the sub
marine fotilla attached to the Atlantic
feet was reduced to one effective sub
marine topedo boat when summoned
10 the maneuvres off the Virginia
Capes last month.
The commander of the fotlla relst-
ed also how the Navy Department had
handicapped its effectiveness through
failure to arrange for proper tenders
The division OF submarines stationed
at the Atlantic entrance TO the Panama
Canal had for its tender vessel With
out motive power, which was moved
about by a tugboat. And finally he
aroused merriment IN the committee
when he explained that the tender OF
the submarine division attached TO the
New York Navy Yard was temporarily
a box car.
Commander Stirling began MS testi-
mony with q statement as to the
strength and components of the Attain
tic flotilla. lie said:
There are eighteen submarines at,
tached to the Atlantic fleet, one or
which is just now out of commission;
Of the seventeen, five are at the Canal
Zone. There are four submarines ar
the Norfolk Navy Yard. Al New YORK
are nine submarines. Of which two are
commissioned but in reserve. and tne
G-S, which is out OF commission De
ing practically rebuilt"
Confirms The Tribune.
Commander Stirling was asked by
Representative Roberts as to the state
ncnt printed i'm The Tribune and con-
frmed on III, witness stand BY Rear
Admiral Fletcher. commander in chlet
Of the Atlantic feet, that this autumn,
when an attempt was made 70 nave
submarine man9uyres, with HAMPTON
Roads, Va, as the base of operations,
there was only one vessel in the fiotllla
ready TO perform the proper man9u-
vres of the practice. He gave his an
swer in the form Of catalogue OF tho
reasons for the shortage. He said;
"When the commander in CHIEF or
dered ;he fotilla TO Hampton Roads
for maneuvres the situation was TINS
"Of the flotilla attached to the At
lantic fleet there we're twelve boats
available. Five of the seventeen COM
prising the fotilla were at Panama So
of course. they we're out OF eonsidera-
ton. and properly.
Two of the submarines had new and
inexperienced officers and no torpe-
does. That eliminated two more, leav-
inO us ten. Two Of the remaining ten
had been ordered TO undergo repairs.
"They were perfectly capable OF get,
ting 10 the Roads, but it was deemed
better TO let the repairs proceed, so
that left eight.
"Then one Of the remaining eight de-
veloped salt water in her batteries,
which. of course. precluded her run
ming submerged. and she was sent TO
be repaired That left seven.
Not Long Enough with Flotilla.
"G-4. the newest boat of the flotilla,
had only been in commission few
weeks. Joining the fotilla only about
ton davs before the orders TO proceed
70 Hampton Roads, and so needed prae-
tice at submerged running IN safer
waters than those where the manPu-
vres were TO be held. and | sent her.
with +he destroyer MacDonough. to
Now London, wnere she had the neces-
sarv shallow waters for such tests.
That left six. o,
1.-Two of these are of the e class,
and have been in reserve undergoing
elteration. They were not in shape to
Continued on page 3. column ;