The Submarine Torpedo Boat
Its Characteristics And Modern Development

DESIGN OF THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT 97 Some very interesting experiments, it is understood, have recently been conducted by an officer, upon' improved methods of radio rigging, the object being to enable the wireless to be used while the hull of the boat is still submerged and to keep it free from short circuiting. This will be a big improvement, for it is now necessary to break all electrical connections and close a watertight joint before going under water, and this means that no wireless messages may be received or sent until opportunity affords time enough upon the surface for a man to come on deck, replace the rigging, and make an electrical con- nection. The old method of bell pulls for engine room signals has now been replaced by reliable electrically operated indicators. These are in connection with a large warn- ing gong so that when the gong strikes the operator has only to look at the indicator and read the order to be exe- cuted. Other interior communications are afforded by sight signals and voice tubes or telephones. Armament The armament of the submarine boat consists of from one to four torpedo tubes, usually located in the bow; some of the larger vessels have tubes in the stern and under the superstructure deck also, and as many spare torpedoes as can be conveniently carried. The arrangement of the tubes and their outer doors should be such that they are entirely independent, — that is, so that any one tube may be loaded and fired without interfering with the loading and firing of any other. Ow- ing to the fixed position of the tubes with reference to the hull of the boat, it is necessary to aim the torpedo by point-