718 THE SUBMAEINE BOAT. 



UNITED STATES STRENGTH IN SUBMARINES ONLY EXCEEDED BY FRANCE. 



Our strength in submarine boat construction in only exceeded by 

 that of France and England. Without taking into consideration the 

 strength of France and England, the United States possesses or has 

 authorized more submarine boats than all other naval powers com- 

 bined. Compared with most countries, we are, therefore, in advance in 

 this form of naval construction. Our only regret should be that all 

 of our boats are of a particular type, and that this type should not 

 have yet been proved to have developed beyond the experimental 

 stage. The fact that not one single boat of the Holland type con- 

 tracted for in August, 1900, and which should have been completed 

 July, 1901, has 3^et had an official trial, conclusively shows that boats 

 of this design have not yet been developed to a stage that makes them 

 reliable weapons of war. 



CHARACTER OF EXAGGERATED CLAIMS ADVANCED. 



There have been some wonderful claims made for the submarine. 

 Only a year ago it was maintained that one of the boats under con- 

 struction would be able to steam across the Atlantic. Less than a 

 month ago, in an official hearing before the Committee on Naval Affairs, 

 House of Representatives, on submarine boats, an expert of the Hol- 

 land Company testified that the air-supply storage, which is 69 cubic 

 feet at a pressure of 2,000 pounds, is sufficient for a crew of seven or 

 eight men for three months for submerged work. When questioned 

 upon this point the expert said: '*I not only think it, I am quite sure 

 of it." Even a distinguished naval architect is very fond of stating- 

 "The boat performs in a way that can best describe it as a fish of steel 

 with the brains of a man." Such are the character of the exaggerated 

 claims that have been made as to the efficiencv and performance of 

 these boats. 



It is not surprising, in view of such testimony, that the subject 

 appeal's very strongh^ to the imaginative. The reaction, however, has 

 alread}^ commenced. The admiraltj'' officials of the several countries 

 have discovered that the capabilities of these boats have been so 

 greatl}" magnified, and their weaknesses so adroitl_y passed over, that 

 there is now a tendency to construe contract requirements very strictly, 

 and to demand that promises will turn into performances. 



ABSURD SECRECY ENVELOPING THE QUESTION OF SUBMARINES. 



There has been an absurd and pedantic secrecy enveloping the sub- 

 marine which has caused the general public to attach great value to 

 the l)oat as a weapon of war. Comparatively few naval officers have 

 had an opportunity to estimate its powers for offensive and defensive 

 work. A few specialists have written of the tactical value of these 



