The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-09-12
LATEST U-B0AT
DESIGNS IN j. s.
kept SECRET
Only Revelation Is They
Are Comparable if Not
Superior 10 Any
By OTTO. JANSEN
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Sept. -. lUP)
Three new strcamlincd submit
rincs and two speedy dcstroycrS
will slide down The ways within
the next few months preparatory
to Joining the United States rap
idly expanding fleet.
The vessels, under construction
at government and private yards,
will represent an investment Of
between SIT, 100000 and $l9,-
100000. The three submarines
belong to the Sarge class, the
newest Of underwater craft now
under construction. There will he
10 vessels of this type.
All information regarding the
Sargos is held in strict secrecy,
but one naval official asserted the
vessels were comparable. if not
superior. to any foreign Subma-
rine."
The first Of this group to be
launched will be the Squalus. She
is tentatively scheduled to be
launched at the Portsmouth navy
Yard on September IA. According
to present plans, the SpearhSh
will follow on or about October
%. and the Swordtish around De-
cpmbcr s. The latter vessel is be-
inc built at the Mare Island, Cali
fornia. navy yard. The SpeartlSh
is under construction at the Elcc-
trio Boat company. Groton, Con-
nccticut.
The vessels arc said to cost
about $3.50O.OO0 each, which Is
over 1000. 900 more than ships
of the new Perch class cost.
The SargoS. it is understood,
will closely follow the design of
the Salmon type submarines. the
preceding class. Ships Of both
classes are Of ,450 tons di&p!acc-
mcnt. repeatedly have compile
mcnts Of 80, carry one thrce-lnch
anti-aircraft gun and eight IL
inch torpedo tubes. The SargoS
are two feet longer than the 29H-
foot SalmonS.
BOTH TYPES STREAMLINED
Both types are streamlmcd to Il
high degree. but it is understood
the newer vessels may be even
more extreme in this respect than
the Salmons.
1t is reported the cruising range
of the Sargos is incredibly high.
In some quarters it is reported the
SargoS may be able to better the
lG.O0O-milc range claimed for ON"
class Of submarines of 4 foreign
power.
Navy officials did not divulge
this power. but according to one
reliable source, three Of Japan
newer submarines arc said to have
ranges Of 5000 miles. These YES
sells are of the KaigUn type OF
first class submarines which, in
some respects. are similar to the
United States craft.
Japan has built eight ka!gunS.
The tonnage is approximately the
same as that Of the American
ships. but the Japanese craft are
longer and carry heavier ord
nance. The surface speed is re-
ported at about 20 knots and the
submerged speed is nine knots.
The similarity Of the two classes
led some observers to believe the
new United States submarines
may be intended as an answer to
the Japanese "challenge." They
have lent credence to the report
that the American vessels are cap
able of lettering the l6,0OO-m!c
range.
GUARD INFORMATION
CLOSELY
information concerning the two
new destroycrS is even more close
ly guarded.
The vessals are said to be about
1900 tons each. The Muslin,
which belongs to the Sims class
of 20 vessels, will be launched at
Newport News, Virginia, some
time in September. The Stcrett of
the 12-ship Maury class will slip
into the water at the Charleston,
South Carolina, navy yard IN
December.
The vessels are said to cost be-
tween S3,500,000 and $4,00O,OOO
each, although exact figures are
not available.
According to reliable authori-
ties. the destrOyers will be some
what similar to ships Of the Cra-
ven class. These vessels are 334
feet long, carry 172 officers and
men and are equipped with four
five-inch guns. five machine guns
and sixteen 2l-inch torpedo tubes.
One of the outstanding fea-
lures of the Muslin and Stcrett,
it is said, is their great speed.
Some competent observers be-
lieve these vessels will be able to
outstlip the relatively new Cra-
vens. which have reported speeds
of about 36.3 knots-better than
40 miles an hour on land.