New Britain herald., 1915-01-05
U. s. SUBMARINES ARE
 UNFIT FOR SERVICE
Not Kept Up to Date Declare
 N]Vy [X)cItS.

Washington, an. 5.--i hat the SUD- marines now in use by the United States are generally ill disrepair and totally unfit for service in time of war is disclosed in a communication sub mitted to the house committee on naval affairs by authority of Secre- tary of Navy Daniels.
 The data bearing on the submar- ines were prepared by Captain AL bert G. Winterhalter, aid for mater ial in the navy depar1m ent. It was sent to the house committee as a re- suit of the discuseion aroused by the publication of the report of Comman- der Stirling that few if any suhmar- ines of the Atlantic fiotlla are fit for war service.
 Very Little Progress.
 The report by Captain Winterhal ter seems to indicate that the United States nav has made very little prog rcss in the development of the sub marine in contrast with the efficiency of this type of vessel now in use in European waters. Included in the report on submarines is. a memo prepared in the bureau of construc- tion and repairs. This memo out. lines the difficulties that have been encountered with submarines, as fol- lows
 ]. Two submarines of the A class in 1904 took sudden dives to the bot tom due to leaky valves or overtrim- ming. They were brought to the surface by the crews after some lit tie difficulty.
 Gas Filled the E-2.
 2 In the fall of 1914 the E-2 while running submerged filled with chlorine gas from salt water reach ing the batteries. This was found to be due to leaks in the lead lin ing of the storage battery tanks, through which acid trinkled,. causing leaks in the ballast tanks This ac- cident has involved changes in the battery lining, etc. of other submar ines.
 B. Submarine CA was found to be considerably overweight during building due to fault in design. This was remedied by the contractors be- fore the vessel was brought to trial.
 4. Engine foundations and tank tops of submarines G-1, G-2 and G-3 were found to be structurally weak and had to be re-enforced. Considerable Trouble Experienced.
 5. Periscopes Considerable trou- ble has been experienced in the de- velopment of periscopes. Such trou- bles probably were to be expected and it is believed that they have been overcome. ..
 6. Battery ventilation: Consider a ble trouble has been experienced with battery ventilation in the older l hot ing resulted from improper ventila- ton. This has involved making con- l changes in the battery ven- 
 AS submarines depend for their 1 operation upon so much complicated l vessels it is natural that large amount of attention should have been required by these vessels and their Such items cannot, how ever, be classed as troubles of the kind in question, as they are simply questions of development and detai. and not faults of design or construc- ton.
 Troublesome to Navy.
 Secretary Daniels testified before the committee that the navy had ex- perienced more difficulty with sub marines than with any other class of vessels. He dwelt particularly on i the troubles and are occasioned by ! the present form of storage batter ies.
 The naval officials have had great trouble with submarines from the ] steam engineering standpoint but in 1 general, according to the report, these l have been eliminated by renewals re- pairs. replacem ents and alterations, 1 but the necessity of frequent overhauls 1 still exists.