Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-24
.CERMANY'S NEW WEAPONS
ARE CRUISER U-B0ATs.
Sir Eric Gcddes Says English Admit
rally Knows Huns Arc Building
Largc-1ypc Submcrsiblcs.
CONDUCT LONG-saNGE PIRACY
Advent of Supcrsubmarine Will Make
Travel on High Seas Perilous for
Time-Craft Hardly Will Oper-
ate Within 1000 Miles of Base
BY HECTOR e. DYwATER.
Wen-SnOUn British Naval Writer

AS Sir Eric Geddes mentioned in his
recent speech. the Admiralty has in
formation that Germany is now COM
pletinG for sea. submarines OF greatly
increased size. speed and power.
when the frs, news or the formidable
underwater raiders came from Ameri-
can sources few months ago, the au-
thoritics here were inclined TO be skep-
teal. They did not see why Germany
should so 20 the trouble and expense
OF building approximations" when
the smaller type had proved so efli-
Gent But Germany knew what she
was doing, and the reason for her ac-
ton is now fairly obvious.
There is no sovereign remedy for the
submarine pest. but after three years OF
research and experiment tho
British navy has reduced the U-hoat
to virtual impotcncc--so long as it re-
mains within tho narrow seas.
\ submar ne that leaves Germany 70
operate within the confines of tho North
sea or the channel has barely an even
chance OF getting back.
Without inQuirinE too closely into the
why and wherefore OF this indisputable
fact. II may be said that dcstroycrs.
trawlcrs. fast power boats. airships and
seaplarcs. with their grim paraphcr-
MALTA Of nets, depth charges and GER
tain highly ingenious devices not men
toned in public. have all helped TO
make British waters a mare clausum
to the hostile U-boat. In tho area
submarine hunting has become an e1-
act science. Once the intruder is de-
tected, his doom is scaled. unless he
can win out to open sea. II he is
sighted anywhere near the land there
arc divers means OF shcpherding him
shelter, and whether he elects to stay
on the bottom or come 10 the surface
his end is the same.
For operations in the North Sea or
the channel the small submarine is
more dangerous than its big brother.
since It can maneuver with greater
a !lty. dive more rapidly, and required
less depth OF water 10 submcrGe in.
Some months ago Germany sent out
n group OF newly built raiders which
Were about half as large again as the
earlier type.
There is reason 20 believe that two
thirds OF them failed TO return from
their maiden cruise. and after this dis
astroas experience no more OF the in
termediate type were built.
Realizing that the U-boat campaign
must collapse altogether unless il took
on 4 wholly different character, the
German naval authorities set 20 work
to design submarine which would be
capable OF doing everything which the
Emden did. but with the added power
OF disappearing below the surface
whenever pursuit wa1ed 100 not.
y vessel OF this type would prob
ably not begin her WORK Of des;ruc-
tion unit! she had reached point 1000
miles or more from the North Sea.
far beyond the reach OF trawlers and
small patrol craft, and wei! outside the
radius OF aircraft.
The duration of her cruise would
depend on tho extent OF her fuel. food.
and ammunition supply. but in all
likelihood n vessel OF 5000 tons would
be seif-contaiaed for two. or even
three. months. Having plenty Of deck
space and roomy quarters below. the
board destroyer. :. submarine cruiser
OF the tonnage mentioned might carry
half dozen fourinch guns 0. small
er number OF heavier weapons, and
would. Of course. be equipped with
torpedo tubes. Her speed nigh, be az
nigh as twenty-five haots.
Tho American submarine Schley. de-
signed more than three years ago, has
speed OF twenty knots on the sur
face. and as the internal combustion
engine has been much improved since
Then, the new German vessels are GER
tain 10 be faster than this Below the
surface they vii! be able to travel q.
aSou, twelve knots.
TO Flight Supcr.ubnarines
We have no -Gn!ie information
either As 10 the l.Hmber OF dimensions
OF the sUbmarI.- cruisers that Ger
many ~ now completing, but her shin
building facilities are extensive. ana
she would have no difficulty IN con.
sFuctins large feet Of them i. the
hrsi group prove TO be as formidable
az IS expected
IN that event It viii be necessary
10 modify our ant!subinarine tactics
on very drastic lines. for re sinai! hav.
10 deal With the raiders in !nidocean.
where they VIII lATe plenty o. sea