Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-26
NAVY DEPARTMENT STUDY
GERMAN UNDERsEA CRAFT
Detailed Examination OF Surrcnd-
cred C-Boats by American
Experts

WASHINGToS. Sept. 25.-De.niled
examination or surrendered Germaa
c-ooats built during the war has
produced nothing. to forecast impor
tant changes in American sub
marines, officers at the Navy Depart
ment assert. After careful study OF
.he German craft and Thorough
test in the long cruise across the At
lant!c- American experts have found
only IA few unimportant details
worthy OF Incorporating in new
american undcrsea raft.
In pe:iscoocs and optical fittings
the German boats were superior TO
pre-war American submerslbies, II
was admitted. Pcriscopes on now
perlor to the best similar f,tinga
said.
German Ship, Praised.
The engine equipment OF the Ger
man boats was praised by American
officers, hut it was declared that the
mechanical plants of the enemy craft
were IN no respect superior to those
aiready in use in the United States
that of mechanical simplicity, roomi-
ness and comfort for the crew. the
american boats are regarded as SUI
perior to the German craft.
Examination OF the surface vessels
surrendcrcd by Germany and brought
10 the United States recently liz now
IN progress. Other German vessels
carefully inspected by American Of
hcers abroad and officials at the de-
partment declared that they did not
expect the inspection of tho cruiser
Gated TO this country to develop any
important new construction methods
in the American navy.
IN one respect the German ships
won inc praise OF many officers at
the department This was the use
OF solid watertight bulkheads be-
tween subdivisions OF tho hulls be-
cation below wcro found in the Ger
man ships. the members of the crew
being forced to go up and over" to
move from one compartment to an
other.
II was this construction that kept
German vessels in the fight at the
patti battle o: Jutland after they had
fire, officers said. The idea has been
advocated oy a school OF American
naval ofhcers for years. and has been
o. IN pa asn soa s ee
tween firerooms.
Lnck Comforts for Men.
Opponents OF the solid bulknead
theory declare ease and rapidity OF
more valuable than elaborate precau-
tons to prevent the passage of water
from one compartment to another in
the event of hits below the water
line.
a feature OF the German ships that
somewhat surprised American off,
GERS was the lack Of provisions for
the comfort OF. the. crews. Officers
quarters were found to BIO about on
q par with those in the American
navy, but little attention has been
paid to the enlisted men. The larger
ships had cooking accommodations
for but small part of the battle
crew, 4 was said. and 1T was be-
ed on the theory that any engage
ment they participated in would be
port. probably in. the North Sea, as
the bunk capacities were very linn
tied.
During periods OF inaction the men
were housed ashore In barracks. and
during periods at sea Of any dura-
hot food: Contrasted with the eiab-
crate gal1eys and bakeries on Amer
| lean ships. with provisions for long
cruises at sea away from supply
bases. tho German craft were print
tive. II was said
The final disposition to 90 made of
tho German vessels has not been de-
| cided. They will either be broken
up Mt navy yards or used as targets
lfor tho deeta,