Omaha daily bee., 1921-09-25
Navy Submarine Arm
Is Weak, Says DENLY

an experiment, Oelng the ldIScst eNei
undertaken by this government.
They are not considered success
for their designed purpose OF ac-
companying the battle fleet because
of the unreliability of their engines,
and their small torpedo armament.
Latest Word in Subs.
"Thc, three. submarines of the V
class now under construction are the
latest word in Diesal engine driven
feet submarine. These submarines
were designed by the government
and are being built at the navy yard,
Portsmouth, N. H."
Mr.. DENLY, after careful considera-
ton, has reached the conclusion that
the submarine is a weapon deserving
serious consideration and develop
/. .nlent.
IN all Of the sea operations OF the
worh war the submarine figured as
ne ne real and persistent attacking
force OF the enemy" says the secre-
rtary. "Not until met by the SUI
perior handling of conveys, he su-
perb scamanship and the puzzling
,zigzag of the United States navy
manned ships and the effective de-
Z stroyer defense, did it cease to be a
menace.
Effectiveness Proven.
1.-THE stealthy undersea craft, able
to attack both on the surface and
submerged, proved its treacherous
effectiveness as weapon of war at
sea. It had to be reckoned with be-
for the days prior to our entry into
the war when the United States
navy's gun crews first showed their
telling craftsmanship from the decks
of merchant vessels. In later days
splendid inaneuvering and vigilant
outlook made its work more danger
eous, while finally no greater defen-
sive method proved more successful
than the mine barrage.
Still in the face Of this, the sub
marine, now in the cool and calcu-.
'lating study OF sea attacks, takes its
place as definite weapon Of the
sea force, one to be considered in
any plan for national defense. In
the lessons that have come from the
war much has been learned of un-
dersea ships that now calls for ex-
perimental and development pur-
/ poses in the future building of this
type Of navy craft for the United
States"
Tending Facilities Necessary.
As submarines are not self-sus-
tanning, it is necessary to provide
tending facilities for them. such as
a place for the personnel to live,
eat and sleep when not at sea cruis-
ing, place to replenish supplies and
to effect repairs.
"All nations, at the present time"
says Mr.. DENLY, shave assigned
large mother ships to do this work,
or have provided bases on shore, to
the piers of which submarines can
secure and obtain rest from the
fatigue of a long cruise at sea. The
United States navy has at the pres
cnt time eight submarine tenders in
commission. three of which are of
little value as such, due to their small
size. Submarine bases at New Lon
don, Conn; Hampton Roads, Va;
Coco Zolo, San Pedro, Cal, and
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Other bases
contemplated would be situated at
Cape May, Va; Key West, Fla;
Astoria, Ore; Guam and Cavite. At
the present time, the later subma-
rines are operating with far degree
Of efficiency.
Criticism Unjust.
Much criticism has been directed
at the United States submarine
service, which is in measure un-
just In time past, great difficulty
was had with the material features
of the submarines, especially surface
motive power. The development OF
I Diesel engine has been very slow
in the United States, due to the fact,
probably, that the demand for such
type Of engine has not been great
A great progress in design and de-
velopment of this engine was Of
coure made by Great Britain and
continental countries during the war.
United States engineers kave profted
by this and surface motive units are
being manufactured. which give
promise of satisfactory results. The
two firms in the United States which
have built submarines for the gov
eminent are the Electric Boat COM
pany and the Lake Boat Torpedo
company. Basic patents covering GER
tain features of submarine eopstruc-
ton are held by both cornl Inies. !"