LAND AND WATER 
January 2, 19 15 
SUBMARINES 
By "AN tNGlNEEKlNG CORRESPONDENT" 
THE submarine is playing a very important part 
in the present naval war, and has already 
demonstrated its power as an offensive weapon, 
while, at the same time, its trustworthiness 
and radius of action are amazing. 
Very little is known about the details of construction of 
the various submarines used by the different naval powers, 
although they are all of the same type, being based on the 
construction of the Holland, built by the Holland Torpedo 
Boat Company. The Holland was a small vessel of about 
70 tons displacement when submerged, with a speed of about 
si.\ knots on tlie surface and of five knots when submerged. 
She was completed in 1898, and in 1900 was purchased by 
the United States Government, remaining in active service 
until 1910. This boat is now preserved as a naval relic at 
the Naval Academy at Annapolis. 
Naval experts throughout the world watched carefully 
the experiments carried out with the Holland. These experi- 
ments proved a great success, and from that date all the 
large naval powers commenced to build submarines. The 
development has been exceedingly rapid, as may be judged 
from the fact that the latest type of submarine has a displace- 
ment of about 1000 tons, can travel at 18 or ig knots on the 
surface and 12 below, while 1700 to 2000 ton boats are being 
considered. 
The largest and most modern types of submarine boats 
possessed by the three leading European powers bear a 
remarkable similarity in their size and general effectiveness 
in warfare. The change in motive power within recent 
years from petrol and paraffin engines to the Diesel engine 
has greatly reduced the dangers from ignition of exj:)losive 
mixtures of fuel vapour and air, and has increased to a great 
extent the radius of action. 
Submarines when on the surface are propelled by internal 
combustion engines, but when submerged are driven by 
electric motors, fed from storage batteries, which are charged 
by the oil engine when the submarine is running on the 
surface. The reason for using electric motors when running 
submerged is, of course, on account of keeping the air as 
pure as possible and utilising it only for breathing purposes. 
The outstanding feature of the Diesel engine as compared 
with the ordinary internal combustion motor is the complete 
absence of any ignition apparatus. As is well known, the 
compression of air generates a large amount of heat, and this 
is used to fire the charge in a Diesel engine. 
Most submarines at present are fitted with two Diesel 
engines, each of 1000 horse power, giving 2000 horse power 
on twin screws. An excellent six-cylinder 1000 horse power 
Diesel engine has been developed, of which considerable 
numbers have been made. These engines are fitted with a 
reversing gear, as the advantages of reversing the main 
engines when manoeuvring are considerable, since the 
power developed by the main engines greatly exceeds that 
provided by the electric motors installed for under water 
propulsion. 
In several countries attempts are being made to develop 
Diesel engines of 2500 horse power each, and thus obtain a 
total of 5000 horse power for a submarine boat. It is antici- 
pated that with these engines a speed of about 20 knots on 
the surface will be attained as compared with the maximum 
at present possible. The largest German boats nearing 
completion displace 750 tons on the surface and 900 tons 
submerged, have a length of 214 feet, and are propelled by 
two Diesel engines of 2000 horse power each. These boats 
will have a speed of 20 knots on the surface and 10 knots 
submerged. 
In France the majority of the boats are propelled by 
petrol and paraffin engines, but for the later boats steam 
turbines are being adopted. The propulsion by steam is not 
new, and was tried in the earlier French submarines, but was 
abandoned owing to the difficulties experienced in closing 
dovyn the boilers before diving. It is expected that these 
difficulties will be overcome by the adoption of modern 
water-tube boilers having a very high rate of evaporation 
and usmg the latest type of oil fuel burning apparatus. 
Most submarines use the system of " diving by the 
head " and use horizontal rudders in the stern. Previous to 
diving the ballast tanks are filled with water to reduce the 
submarine to a diving condition, when the conning tower 
alone shows above water. The boat when thus prepared can 
dive by the mere action of the horizontal rudders, the " nose " 
I); lug dipped down and the " tail " up. The angle of descent 
is not deep and the action of the rudders can be controlled 
exactly. Some submarines have horizontal rudders or diving 
planes so arranged that their action draws the ship under 
water without affecting her longitudinal trim. 
Although the general tendency is to increase the size of 
submarines, it must be remembered that such enlargements 
add to its visibility when running awash, and increase the 
time and distance required for disappearing when the vessel 
dives. It is, of course, possible to overcome this difficulty by 
diving at a steeper angle, but this again intensifies the difficulty 
in bringing the vessel to an even keel and increases the danger 
of striking bottom in narrow waters 
An invention which will probably rc\oluti( nise submarine 
warfare is the Fessenden oscillator, which enables submarines 
even when submerged to communicate with one another 
through the water. The Fessenden oscillator can be described 
as an improved method of producing powerful sound waves 
by electrical means and communicating these waves to the 
water. These sound waves can be received by an ordinary 
microphone and telephone, such as is done in ordinary 
submarine bell signalling. 
By this method Morse code has been transmitted through 
water over a distance of 30 miles, and telephonic conversation 
under water has been carried out over a distance of about 
half a mile. With improved apparatus these distances wiU 
be greatly increased. It has already been demonstrated in 
America that with this invention it is possible for a flotilla of 
submarines, when equipped with the Fessenden oscillator, to 
make a combined attack on an enemy with only one boat 
showing its periscope in order to direct the others, the 
remaining ones being directed by telegraphy and telephony 
through water. Again, this invention makes it possible for 
the submarine when submerged to receive orders or report 
movements from and to a battleship, cruiser, or any other 
boat on the surface of the water. 
The B.H.S. Field Kitchen. — Messrs. Brown. Hughes and 
Strachan, Ltd., Holland Gate, High Street, Kensington, have built 
up a wide reputation owing to the large number of military ambulances 
which they have supplied for conveying the wounded, both at home 
and at the front. It is a fine thing to bring the injured soldier swiftly 
to the hospital, so that he may receive at the earliest possible moment 
the necessary skilled attention. There are, however, other needs 
just as pressing if the soldier is to be kept going. We refer to the 
provision of good nourishing food, hot and ready to serve at any spot, 
either near or far away from the firing hne. To this end, Mr. Strachan, 
the managing director of the above firm, has designed and constructed 
a travelling motor kitchen, fitted up with every requisite for the 
speedy preparation and serving of large quantities of hot soup 
and broth, and so on. Simplicity of design, combined with light 
yet strong construction, is the keynote of this ingenious military 
vehicle. No stone has been left unturned in order to give effective 
service in the smallest compass, simplicity having been studied 
throughout. There is every reason to believe that these kitchens 
will give every satisfaction under working conditions. 
BuRPERRY Co.MFORTS FOR OFFICERS. — Thcse most Serviceable 
articles of outdoor equipment adequately meet some of the most 
p:)ignant needs of our brave defenders. A weatherproof or British 
warm, woven and proofed by Burberrys, should survive the severest 
war service on land or sea, whilst waistcoats, shirts, hoods, and 
bivouacs of various patterns, made from the famous Gabardine cloth, 
are unrivalled for protection light weight, and durability. For 
nival officers Burberni-s have ready some splendid thick tieece overalls 
for wearini: under oilskins. These are appropriately called "Husky 
Suilf," being both approved by and largely supplied to the Admiralty. 
An illustrated catalogue of Burberrys' military and naxal kits -vill be 
S3nt post free on application to Haymarket, London, S.W. 
Christmas Eve witne.sscd the opening performance of a gorgeous 
Oriental pantomime, entitled " Aladdin," at the National Theatre, in 
Kingswav, lately known as the London Opera Hou.se. It is a happy 
inspiration on the part of the management to light again the wonderful 
lamp of Aladdin, and no expcn.se has been spared to reprcduce in the 
palatial environment of the National Theatre the famous storv of 
The Arabian Nights " entertainment. The company engaged to 
interpret the pantomime includes some of the leading exponents of 
dramatic and pantomimical art, notably Miss Claire Homaine, who 
has made the character of " Aladdin " one of her greatest studies. 
In addition, we have Miss liillie Barlow and Miss Bessie Burke, 
together with a host of popular comedians. The entire production is 
in the hands of the well-known stage manager and producer, J. M. 
Jones, and the aim of the management is to present the pantomime 
in all its Oriental magnificence, and to make light and laughter the 
dominant note during these dark days of war. The prices of admi.ssion 
are popular, and range fniiii (h1. to' 7s. 6d.. each seat being so placed 
that an uninterrupted view of the stage is obtained. 
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