The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-20

warships then blocking German har-
bors; but 1t never made an attack on
the enemy fleets. In connection with
an experiment in Kiel harbor in 1851,
the vessel foundered but the crew
was saved. Thirty.six years later,
In 1887, the submarine was salvaged
in connection with the construction OF
a torpedo harbor at Kiel, and at the
present time the remains OF Bauers
submarine rest in The courtyard OF
the Berlin, marine museum. FL
In 1883 the Swedish engineer, Nor
denfeldt, built a submarine boat at
Stockholm, which might well be con-
sidered as tho immediate forerunner
of the underwater craft OF the pres
ent day. This vessel had a length OF
sixty-four feet and displacement OF
about sixty tons; the propulsion being
furnished by steam engine OF 100
horse power. When running SUBJ
merged, steam stored in
. Large Tanks,
together with that in the boiler,
served to drive the engine; the fire
under the boiler being allowed to sub
side before submerging.
Since Nordenfeldt's submarine, the
problem OF underwater navigation has
been given careful consideration by
the leading naval powers. The French
marine authorities are recognized as
having been The first to undertake
methodical tests intended to promote
the development OF the submarine
boat. Other naval powers followed
suit, rather slowly at first, but more
theoretically later, with the result
that the underwater craft was rapidly
developed from an experimental craft
10 q practical weapon Of attack. Among
the last to take up submarine con-
struction was Germany. According to
German naval men, there was no
harm in maintaining wise reserve
while other nations were spending
time and money in costly experiences
Thus 1t was that the German navy
began to concern itself with the sub
marine as a naval weapon as late as
1905, and 1t must be admitted that the
present war has proved the excellence
of that underwater craft as we'll as the
skill OF their crews.
A modern submarine boat, to be
really effective, should be especially
seaworthy not only in the sense OF
surface navigation, but also In being
to withstand tremendous water pres
sure encountered when submerged
even a slight distance below the sur
face. The problem Of propulsion is
one of the most important. In prac-
tically all modern submarines, gas
oline or oil engines are used when
on the surface while
Electric Motors
and accumulators are depended upon
for submerged navigation. A speed
of ten or eleven knots is ample for
Submerged navigation, but, while trav-
cling on the surface. speeds OF eight
cen to twenty knots are attained by
tho latest German submarine. The
radius of action. without repenishing
the oil tanks, is as high as 5000 to
1000 miles in the most recent models.
The torpedo is to the submarine
boat what the projectile is to the gun.
1t is accordingly essential that each
craft must carry sufficient supply
of torpedoes 10 be effective against
enemy ships. Each OF the latest type
of German submarines is ordinarily
supplied with ten or twelve torpedos,
which may be discharged through six
torpedo tubes-four ahead and two
astern-thus permitting Of their dis
charge in quick succession IL neces-
sary.
The diving power OF the submarine
Is, of course, Of the highest import
ance. Sufficient water having been ad-
mitted into tanks to cause the boat
10 submerge until only tho coming
tower protrudcs above the surface,
the horizontal rudders are manipu-
lated to overcome the last traces Of
Ibuoyancy, whereupon the craft
plunges to any depth, within certain
limits, that may be necessary. In or
der to again rise to the surface, the
water is driven out by compressed
air and the horizontal rudders manip-
ulated.
When running entirely submerged
submarine is
Practically Blind;
that is to say, the pilot cannot see be-
cause of the darkness OF the sur
rounding water, and is accordingly OBJ
liged to lay his course entirely by
compass and chart. However. when
partially submerged, or even at a
depth OF a few feet, it is possible to
obtain a view above water through the
agency OF an optical device known as
q periscope, consisting Of tube carry
ing at the upper end a system OF mir.
ror prisms, which reflect the image OF
the horizon through the tube TO the
lower prisms and then Into the IN
terror of the submarine. Thus 1t is
possible for the pilot and crew to OBJ
tain view Of the entire horizon. with
the craft entirely hidden below the
water, barring the single exception
OF one or two periscopes measuring
but a few inches in diameter.
Service on board a submarine is
extremely trying. In fact. 1t places q
perpetual strain on the mental capac-
ty OF the crew because OF the com.
piexity of the manifold apparatus and
machinery, gauges, periscopes. COM
passes, delicate instruments and other
devices. Even slight mistake Is al
J times liable to result in the death OF
the entire crew. Aside from the men
; laI strain, the lack of exercise and the
moor air are but two OF the conditions
which try the strongest CONSTITUTIONS
Aside from the
Remarkable Exploits