Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-10-17
American Boat Speedier, Has
Greater Radius and Is More
Habitable.
RESULT OF RECENT TESTS
Direct Comparison Is Made With Sub.
marines Of Latest German Type
Good Accommodation for Off
GERS and Crew.

ington.-Elaborate tests car
ried on by the navy department, the
results Of which were announced by
Acting Secretary Franklin Roosevelt.
show that the latest type of American
submarine is superior in nearly every
respect to the German U-boat.
The American boat is speedier, has
a greater radius Of action and is much
more habitable than the German boats.
Naval officers are Of the opinion that
the American submarine is the more
seaworthy. OF the characteristics Of
the two types the navy department
says in an authorized statement:
New and interesting light is thrown
on the efficiency Of the German subma-
rines by recent tests conducted by Of
9cers in the bureau of construction
and repair.
IAN opportunity recently developed
In this country which permitted d.
rect comparison between late design
of German submarine and late design
of American submarine. While details
of the comparative tests cannot be CIV
en-, sufficient information is available
to destroy the much-advertised superb
GRITTY of the German submarine.
Given Special Trials.
''As is well known, five German sub
marines of the latest design were
brought to the United States for use
in the Victory loan campaign. Four Of
these boats came over under their own
power manned by officers and men Of
the United States navy. The propul-
sive machinery of the fifth was par
TALLY destroyed or removed, so that 1t
was necessary to tow the vessel across.
''The best Of these German boats
was tuned up for special trials. When
reported ready for these trials spe-
cial board was designated to conduct
the trials, following the established
practice in carrying out contract trials
for submarines of the United States
navy. The boats compared were ex-
German submarine U-111, built at the
Germania yard, Kiel, Germany (com
pleted in 1919, and SO, submarine
designed by the navy department; So
was built at the Portsmouth navy yart
and was commissioned In 1918.
"These boats both belong to the 300
ton class U-111 having surface dis
placement of $50 tons and SO sur
face displacement of S54 tons.
"In the trials the maximum surfac,
speed of the U-111 was 1873 knots, whil'
the SO made 147 knots. The sub
merged speed of the U-111 was IL
knots, while SO made 12.4-a remark
able difference in favor Of SO. TIL,
radius of action Of the two boats Il
also in favor of SO, despite all tn
Juror that was created by the adven
of the German U-boat on American
coasts during the war.
"U-111 can cruise $500 miles at
knots, while SO can cover 10000 mile
at II knots. The submerged cruisin
radius shows an equal preponderanc
in favor of S-3 Both boats can carr
IL torpedoes. U-111 mounts two 4
inch guns, one forward and one af
this practice Of one gun on a subm,
rine being standard practice in tn
United States navy.
American Boat More Habitable.
"It is necessary to really live in thes
vessels to appreciate the radical di
ference in their habitability, Wit,
military characteristic for subml
rine is no better than its crews.
"U-111 Is congested to the last d
gree; she Is complicated In the e,
IRENE by the installation Of man
'cadgets' some Of which are Of doub
full utility and more doubtful nece
sity. Accessibility to her equipment
very difficult; frequently 1t Is necessar