The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-15
CONTROL OF CRAFT
BY RADIO PROVED
Hammond's Invention for
Guiding Ships Wins Ex-
perts' Praise.
GREAT HELP IN WARFARE
Submerged Boat, Loaded With
Explosives, May Be Steered
by Antennae.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1t.--Army and
navy experts have reported favorsbly on
the device of John Hays Hammond, Jr.,
for radio control OF surface craft 10 be
sent laden with explosives against enemy
ships. They predict similar results with
submerged craft showing above water
only wireless attenne.
Results Of tests were made public to-
day in connection with the new fortiflca-
tons appropriation bill, which carries
$4,000 for construction OF an expert
mental submerged boat
Secretary Baker wrote 20 tho House
Appropriation Committee, which is con-
sidering the bill. that the joint Army
and Navy Board was convinced of the
practicability of the control" OF the sur
face craft, and added that there had
also been demonstrations Of the possi-
bility of the control 10 q craft. COM
pletely submerged, except for an air
intake pipe.
Before finally deciding on the purchase
Of the patents for $4,000, the board
desires further experiment with the sub
merged craft and 4 change IN law for
the experiments 10 necessary to permit
building 10 as to make success certain
before purchase.
Construction OF the submerged craft.
which will be about so feet long. by 7
feet in diameter. will take two years.
according to Mr.. Hammond. who told
the committee he has spent ten years
and 100000 on his invention.
There IL no question whatever as to
aht y..Ifh
curacy tho torpedo or carrier whatever
kind Il is" said letter to Major Gen.
r. w. Coe, n member OF the board. $50
long rs II Is n surface vessel or has any
antennae above the water. by direct ra-
do waves. either from shoro or from
airplane.
The board had before II also. and
considered. the ability OF the enemy to
interfere with the control of the vessel
by radio energy. Mr.. Hsmmond's claims
are thnt no interference can be had
with the craft outside a radius OF 100
to $50 yards from the source OF the
energy; that IL. from the radio plant
OF a hattlesh!r. for example.
within such radius certain in
reference from a powerful wireless sta
ton is possible. but that interference
with the apparatus only operates TO
keep the torpedo ON fixed course on
which Il may be running.
With a shore station having a height
OF eighty feet above sea level radio con-
troll OF tho craft has been demonstrated
to the board up to a distance OF about
seven miles. But Gen Coe said that II
controlled from an airplane there was no
limit as to distance except the pro-
pell!ng power OF the torpedo or the boat
that carried Il or the airplane.
Air Control at seven Miles.
~ surface launch with the apparatus
on it, said Gen Coe. relating demon
STATIONS before the board, was con-
trollrd from both the shore and from
an a!rplane, the means OF control in each
SO being the same. The board also
witnessed the dropping OF depth charges
from the stern OF the boat while it was
proceeding on any desired course"
Gen. Coe said no had run the craft
"all around vessels coming into the har-
Dor at WILL" and at close ranges there
would be no difficulty in raInming a
vessel from shore.
Mr.. Hammond said an aviator after
four hours training on control was able
from a height OF 1000 feet and a dis
lance OF six or seven miles 10 exercise
absolute control over the high speed
boat.
Besides tho provision 60 make possible
the construction Of the submerged Ham
mond boat the fortifications bill, which
carries total OF sll.l99.200 for sea-
coast defenses provides for conservation
Of concrete barracks at the Panama
Canal at a cost % *isO0. 900. Cor contin-
utng work on twenty -four gun enplace-
ments already begun along the Atlantic.
Gulf and PacSic coasts and for spending
S4OO 900 for protecting Isolation OF
Sandy Hook defenses through sea action.