728 THE SUBMARINE BOAT. 



rine could disappear or discharge its torpedo with effect. Under such 

 circumstances the presence of a tug would produce considerable moral 

 effect upon the submarine. 



The submarine can also expect that the rapid-fire and machine guns 

 of the blockading fleet will be kept in readiness to welcome them, and 

 it is quite certain that no commanding officer would be sparing of 

 ammunition when on the lookout for one of these boats. 



There are many who believe that a submarine boat of the diving 

 type will prove to be more dangerous to its own crew than to the 

 crew of the vessel attacked, and, like the flying machine, it will have 

 very little endurance. 



ATTITUDE OF NAVAL POWERS UPON THIS QUESTION. 



Probably the best way to show the progress that has been made in 

 the development of the submarine boat during the past few years will 

 be to show the extent of construction by the several naval powers and 

 their attitude in regard to encouraging inventors. 



EXTENT OF SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTION IN FRANCE. 



France continues to lead all naval powers in the number of boats 

 built and building. Her experts attach most value to the general 

 worth and usefulness of the craft. At the end of the year 1901 France 

 possessed fourteen submarine boats ready for experimental service. 

 The following eight boats were stationed at Cherbourg: Narval, Morse, 

 Francois, Algerien, Sirens, Triton, Silure, and Espadon. Four boats 

 were used for the defense of Rochefort — Farfadet, Koi^rigan, Gnome, 

 and Latin. Two other boats, the Gustave Zede and Gymnote, were 

 stationed at Toulon. 



These fourteen boats may be grouped thus: 



Submarines. — Which are propelled by electrical power. It is not 

 intended that these boats shall have a great steaming radius. Their 

 sphere of action is to defend seaports, or to be carried or towed to the 

 projected scene of operation. Boats of this type are the Francais and 

 Alger i 'en, of 116 tons; also the Farfadet, Korrigan, Gnome, and Lutin, 

 of 185 tons. 



Submergibles. — Boats which use an electric motor for moving under 

 the water, but which use steam, gasoline, petroleum, or some other 

 power for traveling on the surface. The French experts are at vari- 

 ance as to which types are the best. The preponderance of opinion 

 in France, however, is in favor of the submergible, since the tendency 

 is to develop the boat for distant work. The Morse, Narval, Espadon, 

 Silure, Sirene, and Triton are examples of the submergibles. 



During the year 1901, twenty-three submarine boats of 68 tons each 

 were authorized. There were also several boats in process of building'. 

 According to the naval programme voted by the legislative chambers 



