Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1919-11-11
American Boat Speedier, Has
Greater Radius and Is More
HabitabIe.
RESULT OF RECENT TESTS
Direct Comparison Is Made With Sub
marines of Latest German Type
Good Accommodation for Off
GERS and Crew.


results of which were announced by
Acting Secretary Franklin Roosevelt,
show that the latest type of American
submarine is superior i'm 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
ficers in the bureau of construction
and repair
IAN opportunity recently developed
in this country which permitted di-
rect comparison between a 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.
1.-THE best of these German boats
was tuned up for special trials. When
reported ready for these trials a 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, a submarine
designed by the navy department; SO
was built at the Portsmouth navy yard
and was commissioned in 1918.
''These boats both belong to the 300
ton class U-111 having a surface dis
placement of $50 tons and SO sur
face displacement of S54 tons.
"In the trials the maximum surface
speed of the U-111 was 1873 knots, while
the SO made 14.7 knots. The sub
merged speed of the U-111 was 7.S
knots, while SO made 12.4-a remark
able difference in favor of SO. The
radius of action of the two boats is
also in favor of SO, despite all the
Juror that was created by the advent
of the German U-boat on American
coasts during the war
"U-111 can cruise $500 miles at s
knots. while SO can cover 10000 miles
at IL knots. The submerged cruising
radius shows an equal preponderance
in favor of So Both boats can carry
u torpedoes. U-111 mounts two A.
inch guns, one forward and one aft
SO mounts one 4-inch gun forward
this practice of one gun on a subma-
rine being standard practice in the
United States navy.
American Boat More HabltabIe.
ut is necessary to really live in these
vessels to appreciate the radical diff
ference In their Availability, vital
military characteristic, for subma-
rine is no better than Its crews.
"U-111 is congested to the last de-
gree; she is complicated in the ex-
treme by the installation of many
'cadgets' some of which are Of doubt
full utility and more doubtful neces-
sity. Accessibility to her equipment is
very difficult frequently it is necessary
to take down three installations 70
overhaul one.
'On the contrary, SO is habitable.
livable proposition; comparatively
'roomy,' with reasonable accommoda-
lions for officers and crew, Her equip
ment is accessible and her general hab-
liability is vastly superior to the q.
III.
Much has been written Of the sea
worthiness of the German U-boat. An
opportunity to compare the seagoine
capabilities of the two vessels oc
Cured during these trials, and the
general consensus Of opinion amont
the officers conducting the test is that
the So is the more seaworthy vessel
Her decks are drier, her bridge less
subject to green seas and her general
behavior in seaway superior.
Referring to the comparative liv
ing capabilities of the two vessels ant
general handling there are few differ
ences and those few appear to favol
the SO.
"In the reports OF the outcome o.
the comparative tests the bureau off
GERS point out that there should b,
no idea that we have nothing to learr
from the Germans There are a nun,
Der of interesting details in design
construction and in operation that ar,
well worth while studying. A few fea
lures are worthy of adoption. for tn,
U-111 is the 'mittel U-boat.' which typ
is considered by the Germans as by In
their best submarine"
e--sss.-=-- 49, -----------