Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-19
i, nE7 HE facts recorded in this re-
~ port prove, beyond shadow
of doubt, that submarine
y vessels are a distinct prac-

x vessels are a distinct prac-
ticability and that, therefore, sub
marine warfare is capable and worthy
of development.
Furthermore, in my judgment. de-
velopment has already proceeded far
enough to warrant the conclusions fol-
lowing:
"ta) Whatever common above
water torpedo vessel is, a submarine
torpedo vessel is that and much more.
"tb) Not forgetting the underwater
shot received by the Kearsarge: never
theless. it is safe to say that a sub
marine vessel is safe from above-water
artillery.
"tc) A submarine vessel can at any
time, day or night, deliver a perfectly
concealed attack at respectable
speed
I'D She can mine and countermine
without let or hindrance from any one.
fe) She can at any time enter any
harbor upon reconnaissance.
"f) The mere fact of her existence
and presence would make her adver-
saries very nervous men,
(g) Until an advisory can be dis
covered. submarine warfare will be-
come exceedingly formidable and like
~ to create as great revolution in
naval methods as that wrought by the
Manitor.
1T is not to be asserted that the Hol-
land is a perfect vessel Of her kind,
but neither has any vessel yet built
approached anywhere near perfection;
but the Holland is so good a vessel as
TO deserve consideration from the Navy
Department. and to my mind the policy
which drove the Hotchkiss gun, with
other inventions. from native to for
eign shares for development should
not in the Holland be repeated"-Ex-
ha nf
Chief Engineer John Lowe, u s N,
dated November II. 1898. on file in the
archives of the Navy Department
This report. written years before the
United States became active in sub
marine CONTAMINATION not even
yet has il reached that state of activ-
fty recommended by Chief Engineer
Iowe-was not the outpouring of
young and overenthusiastic officer, at
tracted by something new. Precedence
is not always the attribute of youth
1t was the deliberate judgment of an
old, experienced veteran of three naval
wars, then sixty years old, who, when
he wrote the report knew well that he
was calling down upon his head the
contemptuous assertion of many So
called authorities that Lowe is a senile
old fool who has been carried away by
This toy
And. now the writer Of the report
Rear Admiral John Lowe L. S. N, fre-
rred). vigorous. good -natured, keen
and active. from his summer home at
Fortunes Rock. Bddeford, Me-, looks
out upon nation and world that
holds the submarine in the highest re-
specf and refrains from saying, Il told
you 60"
He was the first officer of the navy
10 make n report on the submarine as
warcraft following actual service in
one beneath the surface. In many re-
spects he may be termed the father of
the submarine. And yet he declines to
boast. In letter written the other
day IN response to one asking IL he
had changed or modified his views re-
sarding the Importance of the sub
marine, he writes:
The submarine vessel cannot be ig-
nored nor dispensed with, however
much 1t may be disliked or hated.
1T must be regarded as forlorn
hope. to be resorted to when other
means have failed or as means
whereby the situation may be rendered
more difficult for the enemy to under
stanA or overcome" and for anything