The Submarine Torpedo Boat
Its Characteristics And Modern Development

18 THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT tion submerged. As regards these, the writer is firmly convinced that a limit has been reached with the present dual power system for propulsion. For, with the dual power system, either the submerged speed and radius of action must be sacrificed to gain an increase in surface radius and speed or vice versa. With the development in size of the submarine much higher powered engines must be installed to overcome the necessarily increased speed resistances. The high power engines of the internal com- bustion type demand heavier construction than do the smaller engines, and as the percentage of weight allotted to the power plant in a submarine remains constant with the displacement, the other functions keeping the same balance, it is easily seen that the engines in this case must absorb a greater proportion of this percentage and the motors and batteries a lesser proportion, consequently detracting from the submerged radius and speed. The real limit of the radius of action of a submarine at the present time is the endurance or the physical ability of the crew to stand prolonged hardships. For, although conditions are now much improved, a submarine does not yet afford its crew many hotel accommodations. It will be necessary to better these conditions before any greatly extended cruises can be made with any certain degree of safety. There is also a great deal of room for improvement to be made in the sea-worthiness of the submarine. The United States Navy has continued in building the Holland boat, which is known now as the Electric Boat, the company having reorganized several years ago under the name of the Electric Boat Co. Since 1911, the Navy Department has also adopted the Lake boat of which there are now three in the service and several under con-