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98
THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT
ing the boat at the object to be fired upon. This dis-
advantage means that the target if moving will remain in
the zone of fire but a very short time. It is evident then
that to attain the greatest degree of effectiveness the tubes
must be capable of loading and firing without interference,
and at short intervals. Tubes placed under the super-
structure and mounted so as to be revolvable and capable
of train on either broadside, would be distinctly valuable,
in that they would greatly prolong the interval in which
a ship would be in the zone of fire, and they would permit
the submarine to fire from any position. This feature
would be of inestimable value in the case of an attacking
destroyer, enabling the submarine to effectually repel such
attack. The main objections to this system however are
that the tubes once fired are inaccessible for reloading, and
that the torpedo is subject to injury by wetting unless
fired immediately.
Firing was at first done by the old lanyard method, and
by a man stationed at the tube when he received the order
from the commanding officer at the lookout. At present
the firing is controlled by the officer himself at the peri-
scope, who fires the torpedo by means of air equipment,
when the boat is on the target, the operation of the tube
doors being effected by the crew stationed at the tubes,
who send back word when all is ready.
Endeavors are now being made to effect an electrical
system of firing, equipped so as to provide automatic
indicators for showing which tubes are ready, and provid-
ing a quick firing interval.
Much improvement has yet to be made in methods of
handling the torpedoes; in bringing them on board and
loading them within the hull; in overhauling them; and