OCR Text |
Show Quiney, Mass., May 7. The launching launch-ing of three new submarines marks an epoch in the development of the United Unit-ed States navy. Two of the boats were of the Holland type and the third "Narwahal," represents a new class of greater size, power and speed than the earlier vessels of our submarine fleet. Tho "Tarpon" and "Stingray" are each 105 feet long, with 13 feet 10 inches beam. They are driven when at the surface by internal combustion engines at a speed of 11 knots. In the submerged condition, the internal-combustion cnglnos are shut off, and the i boats are driven by electric motors served by storage batteries of large capacity. The submerged speed is 10 knots. Steering in a horizontal plane is controlled by vertical rudders, and the degree of submersion is controlled ' by horizontal rudders acting in con- I junction with submergence tank?, j which are fill?d and emptied at will. The boats are provided with lip;ht superstructure, extending the full length of the hull, which is of an inverted in-verted V section at the forward and after portions and broadens out amidships, amid-ships, where it includes tho conning lower. The latter extends about G feet above the superstructure deck, and through its roof project tho air Intake and the periscope. Two torpedo launching tubes are provided at th bow, and each boat carries four torpedoes. tor-pedoes. The "Narwhal" is a much larger vessel and the increased displacement has made possible a considerable In- j crease in botli the speed and the armament. arm-ament. Though the beam remains tho same as in the "Tarpon." viz, 13 feet 10 inches, the length has been Increased In-creased by 30 feet, from 103 to 135 feet. This gives a finer form, and reduces re-duces the wave making, when the boat is steaming at the surface; the speed being 13 knots, as against 11 toots for the "Tarpon." Tho powers of attack have been practically doubled by the provision of four torpedo tubes, W against two in tho "Tarpon." |