The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-10-04

Once ii has been approximately locat-
ed, the setting off of heavy charge
of high explosive, we'll submerged in
the vicinity of the submarine, will
bring about this result.
In certain areas. II quantity of heavy
black petroleum or similar substance
will float on the surface of the water
has proved an effective means Of
elouding the optical glass in the peri
scopes exposed end
Under favorable conditions of wind
and position, many vessels have saved
themselves from torpedo attack by the
production of a smoke screen. This
may be formed either by incomplete
combustion of the oil used for fuel by
most naval vessels, or it may be ere
ated by burning chemicals, such as
phosphorus and coal tar, or mixtures
in which both of these and other ma
terials are used.
After hiding itself from the ssbma-
rine in a cloud of dense smoke, the
vessel, if possessed of sufficient speed,
may be able by a quick Vancouver to
change her position and escape before
the submarine is able to discharge
torpedo.
Mines.
Ever since the first use of gunpow-
der in the prosecution of war, mines
and torpedoes have received great at
tention both from the warrior and the
inventor Mines are either fixed or
floating. The fixed or stationary sub
marine mine is fired by contact, cleo
tricity, timing device or fuse. Such
mines, which are extensively used by
all navies. are rugged in design and
may contain large charges of explo-
sives. They are placed in position by
especially equipped mine laying ves-
sells. Such mine is provided with an
anchoring device.
Floating mines differ from fixed
mines in that they are unanchored,
and, unless guard boats are at hand to
warn friendly vessels of their proxim-
ity, may be as dangerous to friend as
to foe. Such mines must be, accord
ing to laws of war, designed to be-
come imperative within a few hours
after being set adrift.
Torpedoes.
The modern submarine torpedo Is
about 20 inches in diameter and 20
feet in length; is self-propelled; is not
steered by magnetic means and keeps
fairly accurate course for several
thousand yards at an average speed OF
more than 80 miles an hour. It's weight
is approximately ton and a quar-
ter; and, when travelling at normal
speed, possesses great momentum-in
fact, in one case, when the high ex-
plosive charge in the warhead failed
properly to detonate, the body of the
torpedo penetrated the steel hull OF
the ship attacked. Torpedoes are also
provided with means to more or less
effectively cut through screens, nets
or guards placed in their path.
A torpedo is projected from a sub
marine or other vessel by means of a
special form of tube or gun. A small
charge of gunpowder or compressed
air is used to start the torpedo. after
which-if of the usual self propelling
type-it is driven through the water
by it's own compressed air motor, the
air being supplied from a strongly
built reservoir within the body of the
torpedo itself The torpedo is kept up
on it's course by a gyroscope steering
mechanism, which is immune to out
side magnetic disturbances
The defamation of the torpedo is ac-
complished through a mechanism plac-
ed within it's warhead; and if the tor
pedo is either abruptly diverted from
its course or is checked in it's forward
motion, the firing device, which is OPP
Grated by arrested momentum rather
than by any form Of a projecting mr.
ing pin, instantly ignites the heavy
charge of explosive contained within
the warhead. The explosion, II II
takes place within 20 feet of the YES
sci, will usually rupture the ships
plating, because of the terrific blow
transmitted through the water from
the point of the explosion to the ships
side. The depth at which a torpedo
travels may be regulated and is usu-
ally between IL and Is feet below the
surface.
Combining the Submarines.
The question as to why submarines
are not destroyed before they reacf
the open sea is most natural one
and the best answer which it is pos
sible to give. according to the officers
of our navy and those of the foreign
commissions who have visited thi.
country, is as follows:
The submarine bases are yer!
strongly protected by land batteries
aeroplane observers and large area'
of thickly mined waters extending t.
such distances that the largest nava
gun can not get within range Of thu
bases In spite Of these projections
there is now going on continuou
attempt on the part of the allied nav
les to entrap or otherwise defeat tn
submarine as they emerge from tn
protected areas. Nets are laid and a
promptly removed by the enemy
.