NEW U-BOAT ENGINES.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1917, Page 1

NEW U-BOAT ENGINES.

Amsterdam, March 20 The Tribute, of Liusanne (Switzerland) publishes the following details of new German submarines from its Vienna correspondent—- “ The distinctive features of the new large German submarines, which have the appearance of veritable cruisers, are, according to tbh Visitors’ Paper (Fremdenblatt), their great radius of action and power* fal armament. ‘ The German shipyards have built motors which are much more powerful than those employed hitherto. They have six cylinders and develop 1,000-h p. “These heavy oil motors drive the new submarines when they have submerged, whereas in the older submarines electricmotors had to be installed for -use below the surface.* Their chief advantage lies in their great speed, even under water; and ‘ their power of remaining long submerged without being obliged to come to the surface to recharge their accumulator!!. “The gas produc.d by combustion is led through a pipe wbich is filled with icose lime and oxygen is added to it from cylinders of compressed oxygen which are carried on -board. The Bpace usually taken up by the accumulators is filled with the apparatus for renewing the oxygen. “ The motors'are bo silent that when the vessel is beneath the surface they cannot be detected by instruments, Another advantage gained by this use of oxygen is that the crew can stand the atmosphere much longer when under water. “ The Reichspost states that the new submarines are also fitted for mine-laying. They have a compartment in which are two tubes for discharging miaes, and each contains two mines, which can be released aB desired." U ) \ >'