The Washington times., 1917-06-04
SWIFT, SILENT SHIPS NEED
Writer Believes They Would Help
War on Other Side.
70 the Editor OF THE TINES:

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The U-bost continues its m.nace.
II we would keep the night on the
other side OF the water we must keep
up the transport OF supplies and
later send men also.
Our FIRST suggestion to accomplish
this was large numbers of relatively
small vessels to be quickly built.
Lately we hear much about large
vessels. which. 1t is suggested. we
could make torpedo proof. Do we
realize what this means? Modern
explosives have been developed until
they can destroy the strongest forts
man can build. II the forts OF LIege
and Namour could be destroyed why
should we hope to build a ship that
cannot be torn to pieces? II a big
ship with its valuable cargo is once
located. certainly the submarine will
not readily give up its prey. Such
a prize Is worth and must expect to
receive many torpedoes. And II by
great ingenuity we made something
that many torpedoes of the present
size would not destroy. We may be
assured that the Germans would
quickly produce bigger torpedoes that
would destroy It,
At present many torpedoes miss. 1t
has been stated that, on the aver
age, only one out Of three that are
fired hit the ship. With big ships for
marks more torpedoes would hit.
These hgures of torpedoes that miss
and the figures that show the number
of ships tina altogether miss being
seen by submarines, are worthy of
study.
In the most successful weeks the
submarine sank nifty to sixty ves-
sells out Of something over 5000 en-
tering and leaving English ports.
s.ore recently the sinkings per week
have been only about half as many.
The larger rate IL only about ] per
cent of the vessels entering and leAv-
ing England. II is true that many
ships enumerated above simply
crossed the Channel. which Is well,
protected by torpedo boats, but 1t
seems safe TO assume that OF the ves-
sells crossing the ocean not one In ten
was sunk.
Here IL hope. The submarine even
when on the surface Is low in the
water. and when submerged has its
eye only just above the waves. He
cannot see far, particularly II the OBJ
ject be low. Let US then study to
make our ships OF low visibility.
There Is much we can do in this line,
and IL does not seem unreasonable to
hope that the distance at which they
can be seen may be reduced to not
over one-third of what Is common
now. This would reduce the area in
which they could be seen from one
point to one-ninth.
But submarines can hear ships ap-
proach. Fortunately, however, they
cannot hear much further than they
can be heard, unless they are in shall
low water, where they can lie silent
Iy on the bottom. Obviously, then we
must seek to make our ships as quiet
and as smooth running as possible
Doing our best in those lines, how
ever, some of our ships will be found
and interrupted and will be attacked.
II they can turn quickly so as to Of
fer only the beam. instead OF the
length, as a target for the torpedo,
and can steam faster than the subma-
rine when It is under water and have
guns to make him afraid TO come
above water. they have, u IL said. one
chance out OF four of escaping. We
should, therefore, make them fast and
quick TO turn.
Boiled down, this means keep out
of sight and sound as far as possible
and when found. dodge and run away.
II is not a glorious proceeding, but II
is what practice Is teaching. 1t II the
old blockade running game. For that,
small low fast ships were built and
they must be built again.
Low visibility, silence and small dis
turbance in the water, quick turning,
and the minimum target all call for
small ships.
Our last requirement-speed-
easier to attain in large ships, but
we can get speed enough in small
ones IL their lines and design be
right.
Furthermore, small ships, whether
built of steel or wood, can be built
quicker than large ones. and tire
pressing need now Is for ships for
early delivery.
We are in this war and we are
going to see II through. Who wants
to see the finish fought out on our
own soil with our cities and dauEh-
tiers ruined? II we would avoid this
we must procure transports enough
to keep the struggle on the other side !
OF the water. me allies have not |
enough ships for their needs now.
They are being sunk faster than we
are building them. America Is being !
put to the test. Let us build all we |
can OF wood. OF steel, and perhaps
also OF concrete.
Let us not count the cost, for any,
thing that we can spend on these |
ships Is cheap compared to the cost
of lighting Germany alone-and that
is the alternative. X. W.
at Ascension Church an |
Inspiring sight.
To the Editor Of THE TINES:
At Ascension Church yesterday, tn.
professional with the cross OF Jesus
going on before, the United States
flag borne by the rector's son and the
rector following after. furnished an
inspiring sight. This has been a Gus
tom since the declaration OF war.
Before the sermon the Rev. ]. Hen.
ming helms commended the work OF |
The Times and the patriotic spirit
which led to the idea OF opening the
churches on registration day, appeal
ing to those eligible TO do their duty.
and to those not eligible to come and
register their prayers and spend an
hour in patriotic devotion some time
during the registration hours.
A call for volunteers takes the emo
tional not always the best material