Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-05-10

words are inconteStaole would verify my
most radical statement, but one fact is
beyond dispute II the people OF the
country insist upon keeping cats in the
same numbers as at present, all the splen-
did work of federal and State legislation,
all the labors OF game and Song-bird p,o-
tective associations, all the loving care oi
individuals in watching and feeding. will
not be able to save our native birds in
many localities.
How A Submarine TorpedoeS A Ship.
Early in The great war the world was
astounded by the London official news
that three British scout cruisers-Aboukir,
Hogue and Cressy-had been sunk by
torpedoes. Later, wave OF wonder
spread over the civilized world when
Berlin announced that all three sinkings
were the work OF one submarine, the U-9,
says the New York World.
From that period OF the war right up to
the present time the operations OF under
sea fighters have held the interest OF
every follower OF the gigantic events.
Where will they lead ? How does Ger
many keep up? Why doesn't England
get after the Germans ? These are queS-
tions asked continually. Others which
show the keen interest in submari les are
for information regarding them. What
actually happens when submarine fires
torpedo What is The usual distance
between the submarine sea boat and its
intended victim? ? Is she on the surface
when making the attack? ?
A succession of events has made il
possible for statements TO be obtained OF
men and women torpedoed steamships,
and at least one officer on German u
boat has been able TO tell his story re-
garding such attacks.
In the first place. no submarine can
launch its torpedo with any hope OF hit
ting the target unless the latter is seen
by the man at the periscope. Therefore
il must be near the surface, so that OBJ
servatlon can be made. Torpedoes have
a range of about 1000 yards-about four
land miles. AS general rule the German
U-boats used in attacking merchant ves-
sells launch their torpedoes from a dis
tance OF two miles. Al that distance it is
very difficult for any one on the doomed
vessel 10 observe their periscopes.
Torpedoes rush through the water at
rate of from twenty eight to forty knots
an hour. The average speed figured in
land miles is about thihY-six miles an
hour. AS the torpedo speeds through the
water il makes wake like huge fish
In addition is the telltae wake OF bubbles
caused by the exhaust from the COM
pressed air chambers that give il momen-
tum.
Once the submarine is clear OF her har-
Dor and on the high sea, where she is
destined TO operate, her commander must
keep keen watch for enemy craft He
remains on the surface as much as he can.
his coming tower and small deck being
just above water and his periscope stick
ing up fifteen or twenty feeifurther. This
is the normal cruising position. When
submerged the gasoline engines must be
stopped and the submarine run by its
electric batteries. No submarine can
cruise under water for more than about
eight hours at time without coming up
for more air. II il be desired 10 rest on
the bottom il may remain under little
longer without endangering The men on
board.
There are no submarines built that can
descend to depth greater than $50 feet.
Consequently there is very little resting
on the bottom once they start on cruise
far out to sea.
A submarine that wishes TO dodge ves-
sells afloat may sink and remain beneath
the water until it figures that all danger is
past. Her commander will know when
he has descended about eighty feet, and
he will remain there. He has delicate
instruments Notwithstanding bells some
call them-ihat convey TO him the throb
OF propeller. He can then cruise by
compass to some other portion of the sea
and there take his chances OF being dis
covered when coming up.
When the submarine has poked her
periscope above wafer and those on
board have noted the sea is clear she can
rise. She remains at the cruising depth
while searching for her prey or watching
for the appearance of fighting ships, from
which she will flee. She is defenseless
and must be careful lest she be destroyed
while trying to launch her torpedo.
Therefore she is used principally as a
commerce raider.
Submarine commanders must calculate
we'll the speed OF the vessel at which they
intend firing and figure exactly where
il will be when the torpedo shall hit If.
They have instruments for measuring the
speed OF the vessel. The commander
who will be successful in surprise at
tack must prove correct in his assumption
that he has not been observed. The yes-
sci must continue at its usual speed.
Then il is merely mathematical problem,
worked out with 81 900 torpedo.
Masters OF merchantmen can escape
torpedoes il they are seen soon enough
to change their course. Speed and a
quick answer to the helm are necessary
for the successful submarine codger.
Constant lookout must be maintained for
the submarines, land the ships crew must
always be on the alert to do their part
once the telItale wake OF the torpedo is
discerned.
p.d Co,,of,2 . Eeveris1S Grfonv2 .