The Washington times., 1924-02-09
FULLA|N TELLS
Of SUBMARINE
NEEDS
U. S. 8 Years Behind Other
Countries-Latest Boats
Failures, He Says.
By w. F. FULLAM,
Rear Admiral q. 9. n, Retired.
copyright, 1O14.)

Rear AnmAr@A Us D NsS h0tEeO.
Copyright. 1014.)
There are rumors from abroad
that giant submarine and "sea
monsters" are being designed for
the next world war.
Some of these reports are
highly sensational, and although
it is somewhat dangerous to pre-
dict that anything is impossible
in these days, we must not be in
duced to encourage absurd theories
or inventions that can have no
practical value for years to come.
No Waste on Dreams.
We want our navy to be up-to-
date, but we have much to do to
provide 1t with new weapons or
proved power. We can waste no
time and no money on dreams.
It Is interesting to note, how.
ever, that a German designer, DIR.
Flamm, has made preliminary speci-
fications for three new types OF
submarines, as follows.
(a) 1,44S tons, 1A-inch armor, two
6inch guns.
b) 4,S7O tons, armor protection.
two S-inch guns.
(c) 8,40O tons, heavy armor, sew.
eral w inch guns.
We may say that nothing but
the Versailles treaty prevents the
development by Germany Of a sub
marine fleet Of even greater often.
sive power than that which nearly
won the world war. The whole
world should stop. look. and listen.
If 1t is to avoid another menace to
civilization!
1t is admitted BY experts that
submarines up to 10000 tons are
possible. The question of under
water stability can be solved by a
peculiar heart-shaped cross-section
Of the hull. But 1t is important to
consider the limitations Of the giant
submarine in comparison with
smaller types. We must spend our
money wisely for the type that will
render the best service. It is true
that the S,4OO.ton submarine Of DIR.
Flamm's design could successfully
fight all cruisers and surface craft
whose guns are not heavier than
9.inch. It's stability to submerge
or to run awash would give it the
advantage Of a secret approach to
a coast or to an enemy, and and its
armor would protect 1t from ordi-
nary gun fire. 1t would have spe.
cial uses as long distance scout
on trade routes and on q hostile
coast. But it could not fight a
battleship, and 1t can hide below
the surface in an emergency.
Most Practicable Type.
All things considered, it Is be-
lieved that submarines of from
1000 to 4,5O0 tons displacement with
guns of 6-inch caliber, will give the
best all-around results for the next
decade. These boats can have a
sigh surface speed. and an eco
nomical cruising speed, SO that they
! may cross the ocean and remain
at sea three or four months, az
did the German Deutchland class
And this type can accompany the
fleet in the sea battles Of the
future. It is q type Of vital i'm
portance. The United States needs
| boats Of this class.
The English have three monitor
submarines" of 1850 tons sub
merged displacement carrying over
| 12-inch guns. These are very use
full for q surprise bombardnent
Such a craft can safely and secretly
approach within bombarding dis
tance, day or night. This Is o
great advantage, because no sur
face ship can avoid being seen In
The British EEK" boats have q
displacement of 2,140 tons, a sur
face speed of twenty-four knots and
carry two 4-inch guns with crew
Of fifty-four men. These boats
cruise and can fight with the fleet
1t is valuable type.
British Mystery SUBJ"
The British are now completing
a new mystery submarine the
XII. Many details of this boat
have been kept secret. 1t is be
lieved, however, that the XII. hai
a maximum displacement Of $500
tons, surface speed between
twenty.four and thirty knots,
crew of 100 officers and men, anC
a battery of six 6Aa inch guns. Thii
boat can fight advantageously with
the fleet, and as 1t has grea
cruising endurance at moderate
speed It can also act as q long-dis
tance scout and as q commerc,
destroyer.
The British also have mine.Iayins
submarines. This type is Of grea
Importance. The Germans usec
such boats with great effect In tn,
world war. In future wars the,
will be still more valuable.
4 :.