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

uncovered, from one to four minutes
Will be required to completely sub
merge, depending upon circumstances
A submarine of recent type prob
ably has a total radius of action of as
much as 5000 miles when travelling at
moderate cruising speed of from 10
to IL knots, and may remain away
from its home base for as much as one
month, without requiring either fuel
or other supplies during this period
This type Of submarine may have as
many as three periscopes, two coming
towers and two rapid fire guns at
tached to the upper portion of it's hull
The vessel is steered by very efficient
gyroscopic compasses, which are I'M
affected by extraneous magnetic or
electrical influences.
general understanding Of the cap
abilities of the modern submarine for
offensive operations will make it cas-
Ter to appreciate the Importance of the
| three problems which follow:
Means for Discovery.
The aeroplane. When the condition
OF sea and air are favorable, sub
marine is readily discernible from an
aeroplane flying at sufficient height
even though the submarine be sub
merged to a considerable depth.
While aeroplanes have thus been
used successfully in the English chan
mel, they are unable to fly far out to
sea where the submarines are now
most active. Moth ships for carrying
and launching aeroplanes might be
used in this connection, but there are
only small number of such ships in
operation and the construction of 9TH
ers, under present conditions is neces-
sarly slow process.
Various sound recording devices, in
tended to locate surface vessels, sub
marines, and even moving torpedoes,
are now being carefully tested. Wa
ter is an excellent conductor of sound
and the development and improve
ment of such apparatus offers a prom
Using field for inventive endeavor to
those who possess adequate scientific
training and laboratory facilities.
Many devices are suggested which
depend upon optical means Of detec-
ton, such as special forms of tele-
scopes and field glasses to be mount
ed on ships, or on scouting vessels.
Many special forms of searchlights and
projectors have been suggested. The
fact that a moving torpedo leaves in
it's wake a stream of air bubbles caus-
ed by the exhaust air from it's pro-
pelling engines. offers, under favor
able conditions, one means for discov-
ering the approach of torpedo. This
evidence is, however, difficult to de-
tect in a rough sea or at night. and,
furthermore, bubbles do not reach the
surface of the water until after the
torpedo has travelled onward a dis
lance of from so to 200 feet toward it's
target. The dragging of travis or
nets, by special guard boats, not only
with the view of locating submerged
submarines but also to sweep up float
ing and stationary mines, is frequent
lily suggested. Under certain condi-
lions this operation is practicable and
effective.
1t will be seen that each of the above
methods, however useful, has it's linn
itations, and scientists and inventors
should apply themselves not only to
the task of improving these. but also
of finding supplementary methods and
devices.
Protection Of Cargo Carrying Ships by
Nets or Screens.
| Many designs of such devices are
suggested, and most of them are in
tended to be attached to the hull of
the vessel to be protected. Many 9TH
er suggestions along these lines, and
differing only in some of their minor
characteristics from the foregoing,
have been received by the board. Up
to the present time not one of these
proposals involving screens of any
kind has received the approval of the
navy department or of the merchant
marine. The principal objections Of
Ifered to these devices are that they
are heavy, difficult to hold in position,
unmanageable in a heavy sea, and
that they interfere with the speed and
with the ability of the vessel to man
oeuver. The undeniable evidence
which has been accumulated during
1.-THE past few months Of submarine &C
tlvity has demonstrated that the i'm
immunity of vessel to submarine at
tack is dependent very largely on Its
speed and also on it's manoeuverine
ability. The percentage of vessels
having speeds Of Is knots or more
which have suffered from submarine
attack is very small, while the losses
of slow vessels, whose speed Is less
than that of a submerged submarine
is practically 100 per cent of those at
, tackled. Many of the suggested de-
vices would prevent the launching O
life boats or RATS from the vessel tt
be protected. 1t is barely possible
however, that there may be developed
| some form of this general plan which
, will be found practicable. In no othe
: field have so many suggestions or 81
/ many duplicate inventions been pre-
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