EVADING A TORPEDO.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1915, Page 3

EVADING A TORPEDO.

PRETTY PIECE OF SEAMANSHIP. "Surprisingly big guns can lie carried now by submarines," stated Mr. A. 11. Pollen, the naval critic, in the course of a lecture delivered in London. ''The largest guns before the war used on a submarine were 12-pounders. The new submarines are armed with much more powerful weapons. They have higher periscopes to allow them to sink to a greater depth under water. They can submerge nearly 100 feet, and remain submerged for 24 hours, when the air supply requires renewing, unless artificial means for cleaning it are on board. The newest submarine can stay at sea 'six or seven weeks, and travel 4000 to 5000 miles, including a hundred miles under water. "The speed of the torpedo lias been increased by the use of hot air in the engine instead of cold air. As compared with seven or eight years ago, the torpedo can travel 50 per cent, faster and twice the distance; it can do 12,000 yards at 35 knots. "In clear weather the torpedo can he seen travelling under the water. In the battle of the Heligoland Bight, Captain W. R. Hall, while on the conning bridge of the battle-cruiser Queen Mary, saw a torpedo a couple of hundred yards off coming at the ship full tilt at a speed of 40 knots. His own ship was going 30 knots. He turned sharply fullhelm, and instead of the torpedo striking amidships, the Queen Mary and the torpedo went along side by side. It was a very pretty 'piece of seamanship and a wonderful piece of vigilance."