EVADING A TORPEDO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2655, 29 December 1915, Page 5

EVADING A TORPEDO

—e "Surprisingly big guns can be carried now by submarines," stated Mr. A. h. Pollen, the naval critic, in the course of a. lecture delivered in London. "The largest guns before the war used' on a submarine were 12-pounders. The new submarines are armed with much more powerful weapons. They have higher periscopes to allow them to sink to a greater depth under water. They can submerge nearly 100 feet, and remain submerged foe- 24 hours, when the. air supply requires renewing, unless artificial means for cleaning it are on board. The newest submarine can stay at sea six or seven weeks, and travel 4000 to GGOO miles, including a hundred mifcs underwater. "The speed of the torpedo has been increased by the use of hot air in the engine instead of cold air. As compared with seven or eight years ago, the torpedo can travel 50 per cent, faster and; twice the distance; it can do 12,0UU yards at 35 knots. "In clear weather the torpedo can be seen travelling under the -water, in the battle of the Heligoland Bight, Captain W.' R. Hall, while oil the conning , bridge of the battle cruiser Queen Mary, saw a torpedo a couple of hundred yards off coming at the ship full tilt at the (speed of 40 knots. His own ship was going 30 knots. He turned sharply fullhelm, and instead of the torpedo striking amidships, the Queen Mary and the torpedo went along side bv side._ It was a very pretty piece seamanship aiid a wonderful piece of virlance."