The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-25

x>"HE day OF spectacular naval
deeds is done. Never again
shall We see the armored
battle giants struggling for
victory upon the surface of the sea.
Hereafter the combatants will be hid
den below the waves. The silent re-
turn OF the victors TO port will be
the only evidence of the outcome"
50 thinks no less an authority h a
the French Minister Of Marine. Victor
Augagneur.
Possibly this is an extreme view.
but certain 1t is that undersea craft
have established their right to be.
Naval men the world over are now
wondering in what fashion these new
fighting units are going to develop.
II has even been said h a possibly
nobody has been more surprised by
/. the achievements OF these boats than
: the designers and builders themselves.
Up to a point these technicists could
plan and construct. but having fin
, ished their pet instrument 1t vas
for others 10 show what could be
done with II when capably handled
and manned by men OF courage Will
Ing TO take desperate chances.
The knowledge which experience is
bringing OF the limitations and pos
s~!o!liiies OF submarines is OF particu-
lar interest 10 Americans at present.
because very shortly the Navy De-
partmen, will open bids for the under
sea craft authorized at the last ses-
sion OF Congress. The act provid-
Ing for the increase Of the navy made
appropriations for two big submarines
| Of seagoing type. to have, II possible.
a surface speed Of twenty-five knots
or more, and for sixteen coast de-
fence submarines of a smaller order.
Two Of the greatest sh!pbuilding
companies In this country have noti-
fed the Secretary OF the Navy that
II Is their intention to engage In
the construction OF underwater craft.
These yards will sub.nit bids for con-
struct!ng boats Of foreign types. AL
ready the navy has a submersible
OF Italian design. built here. and there
70 reason to believe that the best
IDEAS OF England. France and italy
Will be offered in competition with
submarines Of American design. This
VII! bring to the United States navy
from abroad the fruits OF war time
service and experience. The art here
efter in this country Is bound to be
bettered.
CnQuestionably q seagoing subma-
tns capable Of making twenty-five
Knots an hour would be a novelty.
dnn RtnnAaa - sAI. a.2AI
depends entirely upon the development
OF a satisfactory heavy oil engine pat
'erned upon the Diesel principle. Up
70 GATE no motor OF this advanced
order Is extant here in the United
states. The Navy Department recog-
Mes the difficulties 10 be mastered.
ana Tor that reason granted the con-
tractors for the twenty knot boat.
au'hor'zod last year. a period Of three
years In which 10 build and get her
ready for official trial.
= u mas been said that In this craft
we American navy would ave a
\ 'PSS'' 'wo knots faster than any
sa'n'rs.hle 10Y in service abroad.
l"IS boast is OF little value, even II
rue. because long before this particu-
.f vessel 's ready for commissioning
european nav!es are likely to have
onumhor Of submarines OF this char
-'AF aSa.ah~ and others OF a more
.4Tsn'"a rYIo in course Of construc-
ton.
among well Informed naval men
-" Known shat the biggest boat
IAhh'i 'or TIE German Government
,"s 0N''H"l not "A great while z In
ay' That craft has a surface dis
r.",'iN'r' Of something like 700 tons.
m' "''l completely submerged dis
90 A''rly loo tons. While re-
\ a-''' u" make only eighteen knots
~ nP'I on the surface she had no
"vuo'" N doing nineteen knots. This.
r""Ve probably, is the ~so-called giant
.oat That has been heard of re-
oAy N the waters south Of England
Racing into the Irish Sea-
one shou.d have had no trouble IN