The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-05-31
Scope of the Submarines Work
 Shows Gain and Is Still Growins

Owing to the comparative recency of the development of the oceangoing submarine, particularly of a type of sufficient speed and cruising radius to accompany the fleet system of tactics had not yet been completely worked out. The original function of the submarine was to serve as a daylight tor pedo boat;' that is. to accomplish in broad daylight that which surface torpedo boats were expected to do under of darkness. fog or smoke. namely. to creep close to an enemy and launch a torpedo unobserved.
 With the development of greater speed. armament and range of action. however. the scope of their operations has been broadened. Owing to their tow visibility they are now becoming of utility in night attacks on the surface, though they useless for under water attack after niGhtfau because the periscope is practically blind at night.
 The increase in the number of torpedo tubes and the greater power of torpedoes carried. together with the larger gun power. has also tended to increase their utility in enga agements with surface ships.
 The feet submarines of the United States Navy carry 5-ineh guns, which larger than those ordinarily placed on submarines, though the British navy is said to have 8 rev submarine mounting 12-inch gun. New Type of Torpedo Tubes
 Gives Distinct Advantage
 One decided advantage which the new American craft will have is that her sub merged torpedo tubes are not of the type known as fixed" This means that when one of these craft wishes to fire torpedo i. will not be required to manpuvre the whole craft in order to aim the torpedo tube as is the case with practically all other submarines.
 Special attention is understood to have been given to the problem of making the new submarines as nearly immune pos sible to depth bomb explosions. On this subject. however, navy officials are reticent, as the method of attaining this immunity Is secret Thickness of armor far from protecting the craft from an under water explosion, has just the opposite effect, the armor being driven into the vessel after the manner of a projectile if the explosion is within close proximity.
 Another feature to which American de- signerS have paid particular attention Is that of habitability. Careful and detailed study was given all types of foreign vessels during the war. and it may be safely said that the fleet submarines will be more fortable for their crews than any other sub marines in the world. The emphasis laid by navy officials upon this point is due to the belief that efficiency of the average sub marine has in the past been very greatly impaired by living conditions which the craze layman would consider unbearable. In this connection it may be stated that the world over American sailors have the repu- tion of being well housed.
 Submarines Under Construction
 By All the First Class Powers
 Much has been said in condemnation of the submarine, particularly since it's en1- ployment by Germany in a ruthless subn1a- rine warfare. It is significant fact how ever, that all first class Powers are building submarines Secretary Daniels has made clear his attitude in the following statement:
 'No nation, if it is to be prepared to en- gage in warfare upon the sea, can afford to neglect the submarine to spare any pains to develop it to meet its needs. This type has come to stay as a factor in naval war fare unless outlawed by international agree ment Its abuse by the Germans in their ruthless campaign should not blind us to the fact that there Is large field for its legitimate use. Without accepting the the- ory of the enthusiasts that submarines alone @n be developed to meet adequately all needs of naval warfare, must all agree that the submarine cannot be ignored and has field of it's own in the conduct of war upon the sea which cannot be filled by any other character of ship"