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36
THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT
exert an incessant and exacting vigil, is intensely exhaust-
ing, and unless they can be relieved for periods of relaxa-
tion and sound rest, they must soon reach a state of
collapse.
An interesting article has been written and published
by the Associated Press, from an interview obtained with
Lieutenant Hersing who commanded the German U-51
during her long cruise from the North Sea to Constantino-
ple, a voyage of about 2400 miles. This article accurately
describes the effect of long cruises upon the personnel.
Captain-Lieutenant Hansing in command of the U-16
has also described it as “fearfully trying on the nerves.”
He also says, “The atmosphere becomes fearful, an over-
powering sleepiness often attacks new men, and one re-
quires the utmost will power to remain awake. I have
had men who did not eat for the first three days out,
because they did not want to lose that time from sleep.”
Upon some vessels sleeping quarters have been provided
for the crew in the superstructure. The use of this space
for the purpose is however restricted to times of peace or
when in port, for in war time at sea, with a possibility of
having to submerge at any instant, it would hardly be
practicable. The best that has been effected so far for ac-
commodations is a number of thin mattresses thrown down
on the tank tops in the battery and torpedo compartments
upon which the men may snatch what rest they can. The
contractors for submarines are required to furnish berths
or folding cots for the officers and hammocks for the crew,
but the limited amount of space on board makes it almost
impossible for these to be used, especially when cruising
in war trim, for then the forward torpedo compartment,
which is usually used as the officers’ quarters, must be kept