124 SUBMARINES IN GENERAL— 



progress in marine engineering rendered more powerful engines available, and in this respect 

 submarines will undoubtedly evolve along similar lines. 



It was my very pleasant duty to accompany Commander Land in his inspection of Ger- 

 man submarines, and I can confirm all that he has written of them. They were well-built 

 boats but filled with "gilguys" and "gadgets" which are not usually found in the submarines 

 of other nations. It was surprising to find many unnecessary fittings which must have taken 

 time and labor to make and install, and at a time when celerity of completion was of the 

 utmost importance to the Germans. Nothing in the boats bore the mark of being constructed 

 or fitted hastily. Stories of rapid building reaches the allied countries, but information since 

 received shows these stories to be false and that building and completion were slow. This 

 is also confirmed by the cost of the boats, which is relatively much greater per ton than in 

 other coimtries. 



The 350 boats actually completed during the war cost about fourteen hundred million 

 marks. The value of the losses to allied merchant shipping and cargoes, and also the cost 

 of anti-submarine measures, have not yet been computed, but must represent an immense 

 sum — many times greater than the cost of the submarines. 



In conclusion I wish to express my most cordial appreciation both of the paper and of 

 my most amiable and pleasant colleague on many journeys and inspections — the writer. 



Commander Land (Communicated) : — It is a great regret to me that I was unable to 

 be present at the meetings of the N. A. and M. E., not only to present my paper but also to 

 hear the other papers presented to this Society. 



Submarines, with us, have been such a restricted proposition that it is difficult to arouse 

 much interest or much discussion before this Society. I very much appreciate the kind re- 

 marks of the chairman, who has done so much, not only for the advancement of submarines 

 and submarine design, but also for the advancement of all warship designs for the United 

 States Navy. 



My own convictions are to the effect that we have never taken the question of submarines 

 for our service with sufficient seriousness to bring about the best results. There is something 

 inherent in this type of war vessel which does not appeal to the sporting instincts of the 

 genus homo; there are also many things about submarines which do not appeal to the older 

 oflficers of the service, these points being quite well known to anyone who has given the mat- 

 ter serious consideration. The submarine service, therefore, resolves itself into a "young 

 man's game." There is no lack of enthusiasm in the younger elements of the service, and 

 "submarining" requires, at all times, the best that is in a man. 



In this connection I cannot refrain from quoting a remark I have heard over here 

 several times which emanates from the British Naval Service: — "This would have been a jolly 

 little naval war if it had not been for submarines." 



Writing from foreign soil (England), I am more than ever convinced of the importance 

 of the submarine branch of the service in case we are ever again involved in war. As the 

 members of this Society are undoubtedly aware, there has been considerable controversy in 

 Great Britain over the advantages and disadvantages of submarine craft and aircraft as 

 against the surface ship. While this newspaper discussion does not carry conviction for 

 either side, it certainly indicates that for a well-balanced fleet the development of submarines 

 must be most carefully considered and progress must be made in order to accomplish results 

 which will be absolutely necessary for the naval defense of our country. I therefore wish to 



