New-York tribune., 1917-07-26

Inst as much time has been wasted in the
building Of the llO-foot so-called submarine
chasers by the Navy Department as has been
frittered away by Chairman Denman Oh 'he
Shining Board over the wood-steel ship con-
troversy. The contracts for the llo-foolers
were let in April, and, according to the terms
Of those contracts, some of the builders out
side of the navy yards should now be begin
ming deliveries, and from now on deliveries
should increase every month until the 335 or
dered are completed next December.
OF this fleet 1876 are being built in navy
Yards, and, according to an official statement
sent out from Washington recently, one has
already been tried and others are fast near
ing completion. This official statement also
said that the boat was successful in every
way.
The truth about this boat is that she floats
several inches below her lines, she is three
knots slower than was expected, and when sne
fired her three FOUNDER the deck was ripped
off. Very successful!
These boats were designed to draw about
4 feet 3 inches and to be ll0 feet long.
Builders outside the navy yard have always
declared that they would draw much more
than they were designed to draw, but report
says that the first is ten inches below her
lines; that is, she draws ten inches more
than expected. Such an error shows the value
of the outside talent selected by Mr.. Daniels
to handle these boats. The boat builders
were called in conference, but after listening
to their views they were told to build accord
ing to plans. These plans have been changed
from time to time, and now orders have gone
70 all the yards that the boats must have ad-
dtional deck bracing to withstand the strain
of the three Founders which they are to carry.
Three Engines Used
As originally designed these boats were to
have had two engines Of 800 horsepower each |;
but there are no reliable engines to be had
Of that size and so three engines OF 22b
horsepower each were used. These are the
same as were used in the boats built for the
British. These three engines turn three pro-
pellers, and, Of course, the centre one Is
doing little good because it is turning in
churned-up water-"soapsuds," engineers call
it-and cannot get proper grip. Consequent
ly, the speed has fallen far below what was
expected.
These submarine chasers were at first in
tended for coast patrol, but recently it has
been decided that they are to be sent across
the ocean and work with the British patrol
feet against the submarines. Just when they
will get there no one can tell, and perhaps
when they are ready it will be too late. The
British have placed another large order for
S0-footers and work on these is to be rushed
as it was with the first order, and. building
under standardized methods, the boats will
be turned out very fast.
The submarine question is the most serious
that has to be dealt with just now, and it
must be dealt with soon or not at all. An
English naval officer now in this country, a
man who is regarded as an expert at home,
talking of the situation recently, said: "lf 'he
British navy could act as its officers wish the
submarine trouble would soon be ended. The
trouble has been caused by fear of offending
Holland. Holland, a neutral, insists that there
must be nine-mile passage from her waters
through the mine zone for her merchant
ships. This passage runs up by the Danlsh
coast. She also insists that there must be