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Although the British Admiralty was for some time disposed to regard with little favor the attempts which were being made by other nations, notably by Prance and the United States, to develop a practical submarine torpedo boat, now that they have themselves commenced the construction of this type of vessel, they are pushing forward their experimental work with characteristic thoroughness and activity. The first vessels, introduced some three or four years ago, were of the Holland type, with which we are familiar in this country. An order for five submarines was placed with Vickers, Sons Maxim, at Barrow. These vessels were practically identical with our own boats of the Holland type. They are 63.4 feet in length, 11.9 feet in diameter, and 120 tons displacement. They have engines of 160 horse-power, and have a speed of 9 knots on the surface and 7 knots submerged. The vessels were launched in from 1901 to 1902. Following these came the A class, five vessels 100 feet in length by 10 feet in beam, and of 180 tons displacement. With 150 horse-power they are credited with a surface speed of 15 knots, a speed of 9 knots submerged, and a radius of action of 300 miles. It is one of these that was lost on June 8. The next order was for ten boat 3 of much greater size and power. They are 150 feet in length and 300 tons displacement. Their engines of 850 horse-power are designed to give them a speed of from 15 to 16 knots on the surface and from 9 to 10 knots submerged. These vessels have a radius of action of 500 miles. Under the programme of last year, ten submarines were ordered, but the particulars of these vessels have not yet been made public. The first Holland submarines and the vessels of the A class are driven by gasoline engines when they are on the surface, and by electric motors when they are submerged. In the B class the motive power is said to be entirely electric-a rumor which we very much doubt. Great improvements have been made in the diving gear, by which the boats are enabled to dive at very short notice. Under the older system, as used on the Holland boats, it took about three minutes for the vessel to dive. Moreover, it was necessary for the boat to keep in motion as long as it wished to remain submerged. The older boats cost about $150,000 each, and the B class cost about $650,000. It will be noticed from the dimensions given above that the ratio of breadth to length is much smaller in the new boats than in the earlier Holland type. In the first case the ratio is about 12 to 64, or say 1 in 6 1-3 ; whereas in the A class it is 10 to 100, or 1 in 10, and probably something finer in the vessels of the B class. The finer lines of the new boat are very noticeable in the accompanying views, as is also the high freeboard and considerable deck space when the vessel is in the surface position. It is probable that we shall see in the future developments of the submarine an increase in proportions and size, similar to that which has taken place in the torpedo boat and torpedo-boat destroyer, which have developed from the little craft of less than 20 tons up to seagoing craft of 550 tons.
