MR CHURCHILL S TRIP IN A SUBMARINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1092, 11 January 1912, Page 4

MR CHURCHILL S TRIP IN A SUBMARINE.

Mr Churchill embarked in Submarine D 3 at Portsmouth on a recent Monday for a run outside the harbour. The event is noteworthy because it was the first time such a trip has been made by a First Lord of the Admiralty, although it will be remembered that Mr McKenna, the first Lord, created a more striking precedent in May last when he made a trip in an aeroplane. Moreover, under water navigation in one of his Majesty’s ships is now made in the cramped conditions and the discomfort which ruled six years ago, when King George made a trip in one of the bats of the “A” class.

It was blowing strong from the westward and there was a considerable sea on. The submarine proceeded to Spithead, and turning to the westward was submerged in Stokes Bay, the crew carrying out torpedo practice below the surface whilst the vessel was travelling at a good speed. Subsequently, the submarine returned to the harbour awash, the run having occupied two hours. The Press Association says that Mr Churchill expressed his high appreciation of what he had seen and heard, and considered his morning adventure as having been a veryjvaluable experience. It would be quite a mistake to suppose that Mr Churchill will not find ample space in which to move about in the interior of the submarine. Under the conning-tower is the compartment which contains the steering-gear, the officers’ quarters, and the engines and motors and air-compressing machinery. Forward are the quarters of the crew and spare ammunition, while the electric accumulators to supply the power when submerged are in a compartment by themselves. In each of these sections the man can move about freely and without having to stoop. Necessarily the habitability of the boat is a matter of high consideration, since her power of endurance will depend largely upon the power of endurance of her crew. In these larger boats the quarters for the officers and men are much more comfortable than was possible in the earlier vessels. It has even been stated that in D 3 the men are able to swing their hammocks. In this vessel also there are three torpedo discharge tubes, two forward and one aft. Objects of interest will be the arrangement of the periscopes and the appliances for safety in case of mishap. The radius of action of the “ D ” class is between 4,000 and 5,000 miles. The First Lord, with other members of the Board, carried out an inspection of the Dockyard.