The Washington times., 1915-03-07
AMERICA PUTS FAITH
IN new SUBMARINE
GIG Now Being Tested un.
like Anything AfIoat; Built
on Italian Lines.

NEW YORK, March Most New
Workers. ara unaware that for tho last
few weeks one Of the uucerest >ur-
marine boats IN existence has becn
sporting in the waters Of Long island
Sound and In tho Atlantic Off SANDY
Hook. doing stunts that equal the
ability OF a German Ia.
The strange little boat is the subina-
rine CT Of the American navy. It is
the only underwater boat Of iorri.n
design ever built for tho navy. but. If
Indications are correct. II cmbodies u,lal-
tiles that warm the hearts OF this couu-
trS's naval experts.
Much secrecy is connected with the
Ca and its ability, but enough has f.
come known to prophcsr that cnn-
vtctton of the little crafts usefulness
mas been SO firmly seated IN official
,nlnds tho American coast guard DC
tense system is likely 10 havo many
similar craft before long.
Built on Italian Lines.
II is patterned aftar tn" submarines
evolved by 6. .aurenti. ma ior-construc
tor OF the Royal Italian navy for many
years. The type has manN features N
CoW'HOn WIN inc NrhHp un'eFS'S-
hoote" of the German nav.
American naval constructors went 10
work on the DESIGN as a potter with
clay. Minor details were CHANGED i'm
provements Incorporated and discoveries
tried out. As Il result, tho American
navy has today a submarine boat Car
better than the I.aurcnti class, and pos
Sessing qualities urchallcngcd By any
ships that so down into the seq.
4, ,,t.
expectation tho decision Of tn naval
board of inspection and survey ns TO the
advisable types fHr the feet Of new sub .
marines authorized for our navy. Not
many months ago tho board closely cN-
arnined tho G-1 and c.. two submarines
designed and constructed by Simon
Lake, of Bridgeport Lakes boats have
met with general acceptance in many
other countries.
Three weeks ago tho board. which is
composed of Ca.,t. Henry y. Wilson.
Capt. Em'l Theiss. Capt. A. :. Hal
stead. Commander Henry \ Wiley
Naval Constructor George n. ro"t nrd
Comma nder Gccra" +. Gcln. visit"I
Pensacola. Fla: whorc tho submarine
hotilla attached To the Atlantis" rect Is
assembling.
Inspect the ca.
One week aSo the board iourucyed 30
acceptance trials. Lieut. Ernest u. Nc
Whorter. her commander. lut tho craft
through her PAGES and demonstrated :hc
possibilities Of the type.
{ So pleased was tho board With the
actions of the ca. i; first was decided
10 accept her from the building co,-
tractors without further ado. despite
minor alterations and finishing touches
needed. Later that plan was changed
and the craft is about to criIsc to the,
Cramps yard at Philadelphia for a final
tuning. Then she is due TO mako her
way 10 Pensacola and join the flotilla
Of underwater boats at their seasoned
manevuering.
The board of inspection aud survey
returned to Washington without com
mitting itself as to its enthusiasm over
the CT. but IT Is understood orders for
more American laurent typo luits are
more than liable to be handed out with
the announcement Of the new submarine
contracts.
There arc many reasons why the Ca
attracts attention. 1t Is vastly unlike
other American submarines in appear
ancc as we'll as qualities. Although a
member Of the {; class ii has no re-
semblancc TO others in thar class. II
IL almost three times AS broad ON lh"
cruising water lin" and has little or no
superstructure above its underwater
hull. When side by SIDE in tho w,Ior
much greater tonnage. towers above It,
inc runaway submarine which al
most caused complications htcM cci,
italE ana France early lat fan VAS
built by tho Fiat San Giorcio Laurent
COMPANY. Of Sp"za, for Russin II is
said. That hoe, disappeared rom
sprzia on Octobcr >. II turned up Hcv-
eral days latci at Ajacc'". corsica. Il
French port. Franc" never had expert
Hentcd with tic Laurent ~" boat be
cause she had becn busy dcvcoiins
types evolved by French naval experts
The reason for tho kidnapping Of tho
Russian submarine never was mad,
clear. 'rhc French authorities too,
charge Of The boat and kept he" SOY
cral days. Then they turned hoT over
To the commander of an Italian .lc-
stroyer. which had spccded 10 .tJacc,o.
Avoid Cigar Shape.
The "sin difference between tho G-i
and other American submarines is tha It
it's body IL built alons the lines Of a
torpedo boat rather than the cigar
shape formerly favored by subna"i "inc
constructors. For many years Amcrl-
can underwater craft rcscmblcd large
cigars with a narrow. ridgc-like super
structure running along the top. In the
last rev Years, however, the deck OF
superstrCcturc. has been increased nm
III. In the most recent boats, it has
Various uses, including the storage Of
1uel ARRANGEMENTS for torpedo tubes.
and air tanks for reserve buoyancy.
The G-i, however. is not CiSar-sha a ped.
but Is constructed with a double hull.
The inner hun is Ciger-shaped. because
OF the advantage in strength Of that
shape. The outer hull. however. fol-
lows the lines Of q torpedo boat. The
p pt mr. i- l,N,,. aat Ia,