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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 141
distance of say 3000 yards from a battleship, which is
highly improbable, it would take the battleship from four
to six minutes to get under full speed from a cruising speed
of twelve knots, and therefore with an increase in under-
water speed of the submarine the chances of making a
successful hit are still very good.
The present difficulties to be met with in a system of
this kind are those inherent in the Diesel engine, which
so far has given no satisfaction at all. Much improve-
ment however has already been made and much may still
be looked for in this direction. Very slow speed engines
of this type driving high speed electric generators through
the intermediate agency of mechanical reduction gearing
may do much to solve this problem. There is also much
to be looked for in the further development of the steam
boiler construction of the oil burning type. It is quite
within reason that this may be made to compete strongly
with the Diesel engine in point of economy and it is
certainly more reliable. The use of high speed turbines
with electric reduction gear also offers a very promising
solution of the power problem.
Altogether the submarine may be expected to become
a very effective weapon in the near future. Further
improvements in the armament and the rapid handling
of the torpedoes may be looked for. Mine laying appar-
atus, cable cutting devices, and small caliber guns are
even now provided.
What effect the indubitable future of the submarine
will have upon the design of the battleship has of late
become a much mooted question. I cannot agree in this
respect with those who take the stand that the day of the
battleship is over. On the contrary I believe that the