Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

the german submarine Karp travelling awash. (Observe the mast-like periscope.) SUBMARINE BOATS. BY ALAN H. BURGOYNE. THOUGH submersible craft have been adopted by nearly every first-class and second-class naval Power in the world, an air of mystery still surrounds them, and the secret of their functions is as hidden from the mass of the public as it was fifteen years ago, when France first adopted them as an efficient naval arm. It is remarkable that the submarines of to-day have more than twice the displacement of the early destroyers, while the speed of many of the latest is comparable with that of some battleships still included in modern fleets. The development of under- water craft was due to the practical and press- ing need for a vessel capable of carrying out torpedo attacks in daylight. These boats can, owing to their invisibility when submerged, not only attack in the daytime, but retain with this power an advantage for harbour work at night over the fastest destroyer or torpedo boat. The British Navy of to-day boasts eighty submarines built, building, or projected. The earliest are designated No. 1 to No. 5. Then come thirteen of a larger and vastly-improved type—Al to A13—displacing 180 to 204 tons. Next follow Bl to Bll, possessing the much increased displacement of 314 tons. These have been succeeded by the Cl to C38, type, successful as regards sea-worthiness, speed, and offensive capacity. Lastly, we have the D class of 604 tons. The development from them onwards is likely to prove continuous and satisfactory. We will examine in detail No. 3, one of the first five built. (For obvious reasons details of the latest types cannot be given.) The boat is shaped like a rather fat cigar, tapering towards its after or tail end. In front is a close-fitting cap, evidently covering a torpedo tube. In the centre of the top of the hull we see a DescriPtion of ■ , ,x. a Submarine, small conning tower with a species of cut-water worked into the hull in front and behind. At the stern are the pro- peller (inside a circular guard) and a series of rudders for horizontal and vertical steering. So much an outside glance will show you. Now to dissect the hull. This has a cir- cular cross section from end to end. The plates