DETAILS OF NAVAL DESIGN FROM JUTLAND. 71 
Commander Howard has successfully overcome these difficulties. He has analysed the 
damage suffered by the various classes of warships in the battle of Jutland and in the paper 
deals in particular with such points as have not before been fully discussed. His analysis is 
carefully carried out in a scientific and cautious manner. He bases his generalizations on 
the facts from a great number of cases, and he avoids all hasty and sweeping conclusions. 
His paper, therefore, cannot fail to be of great value to designers. 
The emphasis which the author lays on the importance of a robust and reliable steering 
gear, as well as on its effective protection, is most timely. The requirements to quick ma- 
neuvering at high speed, for instance in dodging torpedoes, are higher than ever. It appears 
that no other mechanical appliance in the ship, excepting the machinery of propulsion, is equal 
in importance to the steering gear. 
Another point emphasized in this paper is the danger of fire due to the ignition of pow- 
der charges. This is a point to which designers should give the most careful study. While 
no arrangement can be devised which will completely eliminate this danger, much can be done 
to reduce it to a minimum. It should be borne in mind, however, that in this respect a care- 
ful organization of the service of ammunition handling is equally important. Cases are on 
record from the war where the enthusiasm of the men led them to hand up the ammunition 
to the secondary battery much faster than it could be used, resulting in a dangerous accumu- 
lation of powder at the guns. 
I take this opportunity to draw the attention to certain points not referred to in the 
paper, but on which I believe it is safe to draw conclusions. 
1. Towing Appliances——During the war numerous cases occurred where towing of dis- 
abled warships was necessary, and in some cases the life of the ships depended on the success 
of this operation. Often towing took place under difficult weather conditions, sometimes 
under the fire of the enemy. This shows the great importance of equipping warships of all 
classes with handy and efficient towing appliances, as well as the need of a thorough train- 
ing of the personnel in this kind of work. Such training should be carried out under all 
kinds of weather conditions, day and night, so as to make the personnel familiar with the ap- 
pliances and with the handling of the ships under such conditions. This would soon lead to 
improvements in the equipment. Especially when one heavy ship tows another heavy ship, 
the inertia strains are apt to become excessive and in such cases we hear almost invariably 
of the breaking of towlines (Audacious, Olympic, Moltke, Oldenburg). 
2. Leak Stopping.—The importance of being able to stop leaks promptly and effectively 
was hardly realized sufficiently prior to the war, but was brought out on many occasions 
(Warspite). The means and appliances most suitable for this purpose should be provided 
and the service pertaining thereto carefully organized. 
3. Righting Ship.—Most of the warships that went down during the war capsized before 
they sank. To prevent or to delay the process of capsizing and, in general, to right a ship 
quickly whenever she takes a list, is evidently of the greatest importance. Hence, powerful 
means for righting the ship should be installed, at least in all capital ships, and the per- 
sonnel should be trained in its use. 
4. Location of Feed-Water Tanks.—The serious consequences of salt water entering 
the feed tanks were evidenced during the war, the motive power of ships being almost com- 
pletely crippled on several occasions due to this cause (Arethusa, Lion, Onslow, Moltke). 
Feed-water tanks should, therefore, be so placed as to give them the best possible protection. 
In fact, those tanks should be regarded as belonging to the vitals of a ship. 
