THE SUBMARINE BOAT: ITS VALUE AS A WEAPON OF 

 NAVAL WARFARE. 



By George W. Melville, 



Rear- Admiral, Engineer in Chief, United States Navy. 



The advocates of the submarine boat during the past year have con- 

 siderably modified their claims as to the value of this type of naval 

 construction as a future weapon of war. The zeal of the new convert 

 is proverbial, but those who have had experience either in the man- 

 agement or construction of this type of craft are making- fewer prom- 

 ises, and are quite content with the accomplishment of performances 

 that can in no wise be regarded as of an extraordinary nature. 



It is thus along more conservative lines that those who have faith 

 in the ultimate efficiency of the boat are now working. The demand 

 is not now seriously made to build these boats by the score. The 

 more modest request is urged that we should authorize sufficient con- 

 struction to hold together the skilled workmen that are required to 

 build this type of craft. This is a veiw fair proposition so long as it 

 is not restricted to building 1 boats of a special firm. 



DEVELOPMENT STILL IN AN EXPERIMENTAL STAGE. 



Fortunately for the interests of the Government, there were but 

 few practical naval architects, marine engineers, or distinguished 

 naval officers who were carried off their feet by the exaggerated state- 

 ments made as to the capabilities of this type of craft. As a result of 

 a conservative policy, we have only eight boats built, building, or 

 authorized. As to whether this number is sufficient for present pur- 

 poses, the views of Admiral Dewey, written a month ago, probably 

 reflect the general sentiment of the Navy. Upon this matter Admiral 

 Dewey thus wrote to a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs. 

 House of Representatives, May 27, 1902: 



"The next two questions which you ask relate to the necessity and 

 advisability of providing now for the construction of additional boats 

 of the Holland type. With regard to this matter, I concur with the 

 Secretary of the Navy in the opinion expressed in his letter of Jan- 

 uary 9, 1901, to your committee, to the effect that as a number of 

 boats of this type are now under construction, it is wise to await their 



completion before providing for others. " 



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