NOTES ON THE ARMAMENTS OF BATTI.ESHIPS. 19 



was a time when the multiplication of above-water torpedo-discharging 

 stations found great favor and when advocates of that system thought its 

 advantages great enough to compensate for cutting through thick armor 

 in order to provide apertures for the passage of torpedo tubes or for accepting 

 considerable and unavoidable risks incidental to the exposure to an enemy's 

 fire of many torpedoes with large explosive charges without any armor 

 protection. For a long time past and by common consent the only form 

 of torpedo-discharge stations which has been considered appropriate for use 

 in battleships and large armored cruisers has been from submerged positions ; 

 and even these well-protected positions have not always been occupied, 

 because naval opinion has been, in some cases, against the use of locomotive 

 torpedoes in vessels of these classes. Present practise is really based upon 

 the consideration that although the torpedo armament of a battleship 

 can only be of use occasionally and probably at long intervals, the fact 

 that its installation makes relatively small demands upon space, weight and 

 cost justifies the introduction of a limited number of submerged torpedo- 

 discharge stations; so that when, if ever, occasions for making use of that 

 form of attack should occur the means shall be available for making it 

 effectively. 



Among those who accept the prevalent view that it is desirable on 

 the whole to install under-water torpedo-ejecting stations in modern battle- 

 ships opinions are divided as to the best and most important positions 

 from which torpedoes can be ejected. Some advocate only broadside 

 ejection, others add bow tubes and stern tubes. Some favor fixed tubes, 

 others consider training tubes to be preferable. On this occasion no 

 detailed discussion of these points is possible, but in the opinion of the 

 writer it seems preferable on the whole to adopt fixed broadside tubes only 

 and to place them in suitable positions. Special dangers are obviously 

 incurred in connection with under-water bow tubes and there seems good 

 ground for questioning the desirability of fitting stern tubes, because their 

 use involves the necessity for carrying large explosive charges in the immedi- 

 ate neighborhood of steering apparatus and propellers. Moreover, it is 

 difficult to conceive circumstances under which battleships would be likely 

 to require or be advantaged by possession of stem tubes when acting in 

 company with other ships in a fleet. 



On the other hand, it is true that the sizes, speeds, accuracy and eft'ective 

 range of locomotive torpedoes have been considerably increased in recent 

 years and the effective range of torpedo attacks, which was formerly 800 

 to 1,000 yards, has been increased to 2,000 or 3,000 yards. Enthusiasts in 

 torpedo warfare, indeed, look forward to eft'ective ranges from 6,000 to 



