LARGER SUBMARINES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1302, 24 September 1914, Page 4

LARGER SUBMARINES.

Submarines of 2,000 tons, armed with four 6in. torpedoes, are forshadowed as among the possibilities of the future in marine engineering. Mr Alexander Richardson, an authority on the subject, says : —“As great an advance proportionate to the size of the ship has been made in submarine boats as in any craft, and thus the task of the engineer has been greatly increased. This is due not only to the desire for higher speeds, but greater fighting equipment. In this respect Germany is making marked progress in size as well as in numbers. Obviously other Powers must follow, and vessels of at least 1,700 tons displacement might be quite frequent in the near future. As the trend is for larger guns, it may be justifiable to speculate on the inclease in size, and especially in engine power, to ensure 16 knots with guns of greater power and range. Four guns of 4m. calibre instead of the same number of 12-pounders with ammunition, would involve directly an increase in armaments of ten to twelve tons, and the use of the same number of 6in. guns an addition of 78 tons. The 1700 ton vessel would for 12 lous more weight become an 1800 ton vessel, while for the 78 tons for 6in. guns, the displacement would become 2,000 tops.” At the end of his article, Mr Richardson adds “It can be accepted with confidence that our Admiralty officials are ensuring our supremacy in engineering science as well as in other departments of activity.