SUBMARINE. A submarine is a vessel capable of being sub merged and propelled under water and essentially armed with torpedoes which can be fired while submerged, aim being taken by means of a periscope, which alone is visible to the surface craft being attacked. Submarines are also fitted with a gun armament to be used when on the surface, and in some instances for minelaying. Three British submarines M 1, M2, M3, were equipped with a 12 in. gun apiece. One of these has had her big gun replaced by a hangar to carry a small seaplane.
In view of aerial warfare, it would be a mistake to regard a repetition of submarine warfare on German lines as beyond the range of possibility.
It may be claimed for the new class of big cruiser submarines that they are better able to "visit" and "search" merchant ships than German submarines were in the World War. However used, there can be little doubt that the development of this type of warship does constitute a new danger to merchant shipping in war, and one which it will certainly be more difficult to track down than the surface cruiser. On the other hand, the produc tion of under-water craft of this size gives less excuse for the adoption of a "sink at sight" policy. In spite of their lack of success as fleet units in the World War, endeavours are still being made by some of the principal sea Powers to develop the submarine in this capacity. But apart from difficulties of speed and limited range of vision, it would seem that the retention of submarines in company with the surface fleet must complicate tactics and add considerably to an admiral's difficulties and anxie ties in a fleet action. The exact measures for combating sub marines are necessarily confidential, but it may be taken for granted that the lessons of the World War have been taken to heart and that scientific improvements in anti-submarine devices have continued.
A new form of defence against the submarine, and possibly a new ally for her, has arisen in the form of the aeroplane. The surface warship in her turn is now better equipped to withstand underwater attack than ever before. Only the merchant vessel remains as defenceless as ever.
Great Britain and the United States have expressed their readiness to outlaw the submarine as a weapon of war, but lesser naval powers, like France and Italy, have declined. They explain that while they in no way subscribe to the employment of sub marines on the lines adopted by Germany in the World War, they do regard these craft as legitimate and economical units in their sea defences which they cannot afford to do without. (E. A.)
The history of the submarine dates from 1620 when Cornelius van Drebel, a Dutchman in the service of King James I. of Eng land, built such a vessel, which is stated to have been navigated by twelve rowers at a depth of 12 to 15 feet for several hours in the Thames. Van Drebel was followed by others during the 17th and 18th centuries either with designs or actual vessels, but it was not until 1776 that a submarine was used for war purposes. In that year the "Turtle," an American submarine designed by David Bushnell, attempted to sink the English warship "Eagle" anchored off New York, by fixing a gun powder charge with time fuse to the "Eagle's" bottom by a screw. All attempts to force the screw through the copper sheathing failed, and the submarine rowed away, releasing the charge, which exploded without damage. On the night of February 17th 1864 during the American Civil War, the "Housatonic," blockading Charleston, was sunk by a spar torpedo fitted over the bow of a submarine. The submarine swamped through an open hatch, sank and was lost with her crew of nine men. The loss of the "Housatonic" is the first recorded instance of a warship being sunk by a submarine.
In France and the United States experiments were numer ous, progress was slow but sure, and finally the naval author ities of the two nations decided the submarine had attained a stage of development which warranted its inclusion in their navies. In France, the "Gymnote," the first naval submarine, was or dered in 1886 and launched in 1888. Originally prepared by Dupuy de Lome, the design was modified by Gustave Zede, who Was placed in charge of its construction. She was of 30 tons dis placement, fitted with a screw propeller driven by an electric motor supplied with current from secondary cells. The trials being satisfactory, the "Gustave Zede" of 27o tons, similarly propelled, was ordered in 1890 and launched in 1893. Success was again attained, and in 1896 the Ministry of Marine opened a competition for the design of submarines, the first prize being awarded to M. Max Laubeuf, the "Narval" built to his design being completed in 1900.