The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-12-25

able 10 Buffet Seas Successfully 1000
Miles offshore-SS Hours Required
by One 10 Get Signal TO Move.
Abandonment OF the present coast
defense type OF submarine. seventy Of
which have been built or are building,
In favor OF larger seagoing submersi-
bles may be recommended 10y the navy
department as result OF lessons learn
ed during the recent maneuyers Of the
Atlantic feet and unofficial informa-
tion concerning the size OF underwater
craft now in service In Europe.
There are indications that the United
States is tagging In submarine deyel-
opment. even with one 1000 ton sub
mersible nearing completion and two
OF ] 300 tons soon 10 bc ordered. Navy
officials have been impressed by the
apparent probability that submarine
OF approximately ! 500 tons and meas
uring 30 feet IN length has been en-
gagged IN the foreign warfare against
merchantmen.
Little Boats In Trouble.
Reports on the feet maneuvers, IL
has Just become known. tell OF the
difficulties encountered by the twelve
little submarines attached TO the blue
force commanded by Admiral Fletcher
and defending the coast against n the
oretical enemy.
The boats were at sen several days
and encountered continuously rough
weather While no unexpected me-
cbanical troubles were encountered.
the personnel OF the vessel suffered ex
tremely from seasickness, bad air. i'm
proper food and the continual buffet
ing they received in the pitching and
rolling. To impairment Of the eficien-
cy OF the crews by seasickness alone
many minor mishaps 10 the boats are
said 20 be attributed.
The maneuyers included the first at
tempt 10 employ the submarines, all OF
the coast defense type and none dis
placing more than 500 tons, at nearly
1000 miles offshore.
The general scheme OF defense fixes
that distance nj sea as the zone within
which coast submarines should be able
10 operate in any weather. Should an
enemy succeed in reaching within 100
miles or so OF the coast, II is argued
by some officers, he would be able 10
guard his fighting force with n screen
Of mine sweepers, destroyers and aero
planes which would render the chances
OF attacking his capital ships uncer-
tain. Far at sea, however, the screen
could not be maintained
Sea Prevents Steering.
For the purposes OF the maneuvers
Admiral Fletcher placed his subma-
rines IN reserve, ready TO strike north
or south as the movements OF the
red hostile feet, 1000 miles offshorc.
might necessitatc.
One OF the twelve boats was unable
TO reach its station, as II would not
steer properly in the rough weather.
The other eleven, battened down tight
for days az time and with water
pouring over them day and night, car
ried out their orders.
Later the blue commander dlscov-
cred that his red enemy was sweeping
10 southwark. lie ordered the sub
marines south 10 intercept the feet.
An indication OF the troubles encoun-
tered Is given in the fact that II took
six hours 10 convey this order TO one
OF the submersibles.
Finally the hotilla started southwark.
but was able 10 make less than half
the speed required 10 bring II 10 It's
appointed station on time.
Navigation was accomplished only
by dead reckoning, for with their yes
sells closed up and tumbling about the
officers could not verify their positions
Fail 20 Trap Enemy"
They were fifty miles or more out OF
position az the conclusion OF the trip.
and the. rcd transports and convoy
swept through the breach they left 20
land an army on American soil.
While no definite recommendation
have been made the question OF the
value OF submarine az small as the
present type for coast defense work IL
being seriously considered.
The view has been presented, II is
understood. that with larger subma-
rines the difficulties OF navigation at
sea would be reduced. greater speed
could be attained and the efficiency
OF the boats for other purposes. such
az that OF the maneuvers. increased
vror.nrftrs,afoIr