NEW U-BOAT ENGINES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1717, 26 May 1917, Page 4

NEW U-BOAT ENGINES.

USED UNDER WATER INSTEAD OF BATTERIES. The Tribune, of Lausanne (Switzerland) publishes (he 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 the Fremdenblatt, their great radius of action and powerful armament. The German shipyards have built motors which are much more powerful than those employed hitherto. They have six cylinders, and develop 1,000 k.p. “These heavy oil motors drive the new' submarines when they have submerged whereas in the older submarines electric motors 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 re-charge their accumulators.

“The gas produced by combustion is led through ti pipe which is filled with loose lime, STnd oxygen is added to it from cylinders of compressed oxygen which are carried on board. The space usually taken up by the accumulators is filled with the apparatus for renewing the oxygen.

“The motors are so 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 arc also fitted for mine-laying. They have a compartment in which are two tubes for discharging mines, and each contains two mines, which can be released as desired.”