BLINDING THE SUBMARINE

Taihape Daily Times, 6 December 1917, Page 3

BLINDING THE SUBMARINE

A writer In the Daily Telegraph makes the following statement regarding the defence of shipping against submarines: “It can be stated on official authority that the results of the methods adopted oaring the past month give cause for growing confidence. No sensational inventions are being used, and no sensational results may be expected. The sinkings will continue, but the submarine is defeated. If the public know what we know they would not have the slightest anxiety, and the criticisms of naval methods would stop at once. Good results are being secured from the smoke-cloud defence system, and it is stated that dozens of ships have been saved by its adoption. The system has been in use for some months on British ships, and the great majority of British merchantmen have been supplied by the Admiralty with smoke-boxes These boxes, with the smoke funnel, are for the production of smoke on board the vessel attacked. The smoke funnel requires only fuel for its continual use. The smoke-boxes are for throwing overboard, and once used cannot be recovered. They produce dense volumes of smoke, and, skilfully used, completely baffle submarines. The United States Navy Department is having huge quantities manufactured, and the Department, in view of the reports of British and American captains, states that smoke-producing apparatus should be available for every vessel. It is regarded in naval circles as of great importance for the protection of merchant vessels.