The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1917-02-16

as the Schoheld, because Commander Frank H.
Schoheld was the first TO suggest the type IN
the strategic problems worked out on the game
board the ship has led to startling results
Because armor Is not necessary for turrets'
weight Is not required for big guns, ana as the
craft lies low In the water II Is possible to give
her very effective defense against subnqueouS
attnck and II is feasible 10 suhdiyide her below
the water line into many compartments, the very
number serving 20 localiEe damage. Accordingly
the Schoheld Is assumed 10 be proof against tor
pedo attack, while above water her protective
deck and sturdy sides would stand of shots even
from the largest guns because Of the gancing
blows that hostile projectiles would strike
Possibly the best evidence OF what the Naval
War college thinks about the Schoheld can be
gathered from Captain, Sims own statement.
While admitting that he did not know what such
n vessel would actually do In time Of CONFLICT, he
plainly expressed his apprehension of his chances
II attacked by a craft OF that order IF were
I'm command of n fleet and one Of those things
came down on me think would turn the vessel
over to the second in command and so down be-
low"
II is not commonly understood by the lnyman
that there are times when the torpedo even at
long ranges stands better chance Of hitting than
the big gun The big gun may be seriously handi-
capped or impaired In It's efficiency by reason OF
the weather. The torpedo. on the other hand,
dives below the surface OF the angriest sea and
holds its depth despite tumbllng waves as IL
speeds on toward its target.
II Is for this reason that the schohed Is armed
almost exclusively with torpedoes. Any guns
that might be placed on deck would be only rapid
nrers intended 10 stand or destroyers or to deal
with armed merchantmen or commerce raiders.
Success in a naval action depends very much
upon gaining the advantage OF position 80 far
wind and light are concerned. In moderate
weather, with n moderate breeze blowing, a com
mander wants TO have the wind In his face. That
is to say the wind should blow from the direction
Of the enemy, because then the smoke and gas
from his own guns blow back and away and
leave the commander with uuimpalred view
OF his foe, while the enemy's discharge hangs for
q while on his lee and interferes with his vision
and the speedy working OF his ordnance effectively
II Is not an easy thing to gain the position Of
advantage. and half the success in doing this
hinges upon invisibllity. vessel like the Soho
field lying low IN the water and capable Of max
ing rs knots an hour. would have the whip hand
In this particular because she could slip along at
full speed unobserved, whereas ship rising
higher above the surface would be to betray
herself against the horizon.
The part that the weather plays in battle tao
tics is thus described by OF the nayys emil
nent officers: IF you have been fortunate enough
TO get into position with the wind In your face
and the foe to windward and II comes on 90 blow
and kicks up a sea Sufficient 20 splash water up
over the sides Of your ship when you are steam
ing 20 knots, then there Is another difficulty. The
spray will interfere very seriously with your hrine
because II keeps your telescopes wet
Instead Of looking through a clear telescope
the situation Is not unlike looking through the
water when you Ia swimming. Your vision
IL obscured. Water also may get into your tur
rets and into your Gre control connections and
possibly may put you AZ more or less Of dsad
vantage
Remember this, fleets fight nowadays at yery
long ranges, and n you sight enemy that II
bearing east from you and the conditions OF wind
and weather such thatyou would like TO hav'
him bearing west IL would take you ali that dag
20 get him there II be does not want 20 do 30, be
cause II you try TO steam around him he simply
keeps you bearing abeam, while turning I'm At
enormous circle and after you have turnet
around about half wsy. he will turn and 90 th'
other way.
"In the olden days when they fought at shor
range II was possible by certain maneuyerings q
get the advantage Of position with reference q
the wind and sea, etc. II Is nowhere near 30 cas-!
20 do II now. In fact It Is practically impossible
despite superiority Ia speed, within REASONABLE
limits"
Because Of her unusual features a ship pat
termed after the idea Of the Schofeld would no
have to bother much about advantage OF posi-
ton Even while nearly buried under stormy sea
# would be practicable for her commander {
bring his broadsde OF torpedoes 20 bear, ant
every one Of those weapons would be a good dea
more formidable than the biggest Of rnOr-pIers
ing proJSctiles.