CHAPTER XIV

COMPARATIVE FIGHTING VALUE OF THE SUBMARINE FLEETS AT WAR

Tempered and tried in the forge of war the submarine has at last been lifted from the experimental stage of naval² construction to the fore-front of fleets in being. For over twenty years naval experts, marine¹ engineers and scientists have been wrestling with the vast and complex problems of submarine construction, navigation and warfare³, and have, at a cost of many lives and many millions sterling⁴, produced submersible warships⁵ of steadily⁶ increasing size and power, until to-day 264 of these vessels⁷, of over a dozen different and more or less secret designs, with displacements⁸ ranging from 100 to 1,000 tons are in 185the fighting line of the Fleets at war. Thousands of sailors have been trained to fight beneath the seas; torpedoes⁹, guns, engines, and even the air to breath, have been adapted for submarine work. A comparison, therefore, of the strength and fighting power of the submarine fleets engaged for the first time in this great struggle for the mastery of the seas is of more than passing interest.
BRITISH NAVY.
Sea-going Vessels.
Submarines of 1,000?1,500 tons (“F” class), range 6,000 miles, speed 20/12 knots, armament 6 torpedo¹⁰ tubes and 2 q.-f. guns: (nearly completed)     6
Submarines of 800 tons (“E” class), range 5,000 miles, speed 16/10 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes and 2 q.-f. guns: (in commission)     19
Submarines of 500?600 tons (“D” class), range 4,000 miles, speed 16/10 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes and 1 q.-f. gun: (in commission)     8
Submarines of 300?400 tons (“C” class), range 1,700 miles, speed 14/9 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     37
Total Sea-going Submarines     70
186Coast Defence Vessels.
Submarines of 300 tons (“B” class), range 1,000 miles, speed 12/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     10
Submarines of 200 tons (“A” class), range 350 miles, speed 11/7 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     8
Total Coast Defence Submarines     18
    ――
Total number of vessels in British Flotillas     88

It must, however, be pointed¹¹ out that six vessels of the sea-going “F” class have not yet taken their place in the active flotillas; and that eight vessels of the “E” class were on duty on foreign stations when war commenced.
FRENCH NAVY.
Sea-going Vessels.
Submarines of 600?1,000 tons (Diane class, Bellone class, and Gustave Zede class), range 4,000?5,000 miles, speed 18/10 knots, armament 4 to 6 torpedo tubes and 2 to 4 q.-f. guns: (completing)     7
Submarines of 500?600 tons (Clorinde class), range 3,500 miles, speed 15/9?? knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     10
187Submarines of 600?800 tons (vessels: Mariotte, Archimède, Charles Brun, and Admiral Bourgeoise), range 3,000?3,500 miles, speed 15/10 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     4
Submarines of 600 tons (Fresnel class), range 2,000 miles, speed 12/9 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     22
Submarines of 500?600 tons (Pluvi?se class), range 2,500 miles, speed 12/9 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     11
Total Sea-going Submarines     54
Coast Defence Vessels.
Submarines of 450 tons (Circe class), range 1,000 miles, speed 11/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes and 2 torpedoes in holders¹²: (in commission)     2
Submarines of 400 tons (Emeraude class), range 1,000 miles, speed 12/8?? knots, armament 2 tubes and 4 holders: (in commission)     6
Submarines of 300?400 tons (Argonaute and Aigrette class), range 700 miles, speed 10/9 knots, armament 1 to 4 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     3
Total Coast Defence Submarines     11
Harbour Defence Vessels.
Submarines of 150?200 tons (Triton class, Fran?aise class, and Lutin class), range 100?600 miles, speed 11/8 knots, armament 3 to 4 torpedo tubes or holders: (in commission)     9
188Submarines of 50?100 tons (Naiade class), range 100 miles, speed 8??/5 knots, armament 1 torpedo tube and 2 holders: (in commission)     20
Total Harbour Defence Submarines     29
    ――
Total number of vessels in French Flotillas     94
RUSSIAN NAVY.
Sea-going Vessels.
Submarines of 800?1,500 tons (Tigr class), no particulars: (completing)     12
Submarines of 500?600 tons (Kaschalot class), range 3,000 miles, speed 16/10 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes and 1 q.-f. gun: (in commission)     7
Submarines of 400?500 tons (Alligator class), range 3,000 miles, speed 15/10 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     4
Submarines of 300?400 tons (Akula class), range 2,500 miles, speed 16/10 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     1
Submarines of 200?300 tons (Karp class), range 1,000 miles, speed 12/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     2
Submarines of 200 tons (Makrel class), range 800?1,000 miles, speed 10/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes and 2 holders: (in commission)     2
Total Sea-going Submarines     28
189Coast and Harbour Defence Vessels.
Submarines of 150?200 tons (Minoga class, Lossos class, Sig, Sterliad class, Som class, Ostr class, and Graf Cheremetieve class), range 400?600 miles, speed 11?9 knots on surface and 6?7 knots submerged, armament 1?3 torpedo tubes and holders: (in commission)     19
Total Coast Defence Submarines     19
    ――
Total number of vessels in Russian Flotillas     47
JAPANESE NAVY.
Sea-going Vessels.
Submarines of 500 tons (Nos. 16?17), range 3,500 miles, speed 18/9 knots, armament 6 torpedo tubes and holders: (completing)     6
Submarines of 300?400 tons (Nos. 10?15), range 1,700 miles, speed 14/9 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     6
Submarines of 300 tons (Nos. 8?9), range 1,500 miles, speed 13/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     2
Total Sea-going Submarines     14
Coast and Harbour Defence Vessels.
Submarines of 180?200 tons (Nos. 6?7), range 800 miles, speed 10/8 knots, armament 1 torpedo tube: (in commission)     2
190
Submarines of 100?150 tons (Nos. 1?5), range 500 miles, speed 9/7 knots, armament 1 torpedo tube: (in commission)     5
Total Coast Defence Submarines     7
    ――
Total number of vessels in Japanese Flotillas     21
GERMAN NAVY.
Sea-going Vessels.
Submarines of 900 tons (U.25-U.30 completed, and U.31-U.37 completing), range 4,000 miles, speed 18/10 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes and 4 q.-f. guns: (in commission and completing)     13
Submarines of 800 tons (U.21-U.24), range 3,000 miles, speed 14/9 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes and 3 q.-f. guns: (in commission)     4
Submarines of 400?500 tons (U.19-U.20), range 2,000 miles, speed 13??/8 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes and 2 q.-f. guns: (in commission)     2
Submarines of 300 tons (U.9-U.18), range 1,500 miles, speed 13/8 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes and 1 q.-f. gun: (in commission)     10
Submarines of 200?300 tons (U.2.-U.8), range 1,000 miles, speed 12/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     7
Total Sea-going Submarines     36
191Coast Defence Vessels.
Submarines of 200 tons (U.1), range 700?800 miles, speed 10/7 knots, armament 1 torpedo tube: (in commission)     1
    ――
Total number of vessels in German Flotillas     37
AUSTRIAN NAVY.
Sea-going Vessels.
Submarines of 800 tons (U.7-U.11), range 3,000 miles, speed 14/9 knots, armament 4 torpedo tubes and 3 q.-f. guns: (completing—delivery doubtful)     5
Submarines of 300?400 tons (U.5-U.6), range 1,500 miles, speed 12/8 knots, armament 2 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     2
Submarines of 300 tons (U.1-U.4), range 1,500 miles, speed 13/8 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     2
Submarines of 200?300 tons (U.1-U.2), range 800 miles, speed 12/8 knots, armament 3 torpedo tubes: (in commission)     2
    ――
Total number of vessels in Austrian Flotillas     6

When war commenced all the vessels of the German Flotillas (30 to 37) were 192concentrated in the North Sea and Baltic. The Austrian Flotilla of six vessels was in the Adriatic. Great Britain had in home waters 74 submarines and 14 others on duty in the outer seas. France had several of the 92 vessels composing her powerful flotillas at her oversea colonial naval bases. Russia had 14 submarines in the Baltic, 11 in the Black Sea, and 12 in the Far East. The Japanese Flotilla (17) was concentrated in Japanese waters.
Printed in Great Britain by Wyman & Sons Ltd., London and Reading.

1. “Submarine Engineering of To-day.” By Charles W. Domville-Fife. (London: Seeley, Service & Co. Ltd. 1914.)

2. Sunk October, 1914.

3. The Narval, the first of this type, has been removed from the effective list.

4. It is very doubtful if these two boats were delivered before the outbreak of war.

5. The U.18 was sunk by a British patrol in November, 1914.

6. “Submarine Engineering of To-day.” By Charles W. Domville-Fife. (London: Seeley, Service & Co. Ltd. 1914).

7. As it is almost impossible for a submarine, when totally submerged, to steer¹³ a perfectly¹⁴ straight course, the table above each chart shows the approximate average loss and gain on each mile. It must also be remembered that the submarine in actual practice need only reach the torpedo firing line.

8. “Submarines of the World’s Navies.” By Charles W. Domville-Fife. (London: Francis Griffiths.)

9. “Submarines of the World’s Navies,” By Charles W. Domville-Fife. (London: Francis Griffiths.)

The End

1 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

2 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

3 warfare   

n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突

参考例句：

• He addressed the audience on the subject of atomic warfare.他向听众演讲有关原子战争的问题。
• Their struggle consists mainly in peasant guerrilla warfare.他们的斗争主要是农民游击战。

4 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。

5 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

6 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

7 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 displacements   

n.取代( displacement的名词复数 )；替代；移位；免职

参考例句：

• The laws of physics are symmetrical for translational displacements. 物理定律对平移是对称的。 来自辞典例句
• We encounter only displacements of the first type. 我们只遇到第一类的驱替。 来自辞典例句

9 torpedoes   

鱼雷( torpedo的名词复数 )； 油井爆破筒； 刺客； 掼炮

参考例句：

• We top off, take on provisions and torpedoes, and go. 我们维修完，装上给养和鱼雷就出发。
• The torpedoes hit amidship, and there followed a series of crashing explosions. 鱼雷击中了船腹，引起了一阵隆隆的爆炸声。

10 torpedo   

n.水雷，地雷；v.用鱼雷破坏

参考例句：

• His ship was blown up by a torpedo.他的船被一枚鱼雷炸毁了。
• Torpedo boats played an important role during World War Two.鱼雷艇在第二次世界大战中发挥了重要作用。

11 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

12 holders   

支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物

参考例句：

• Slaves were mercilessly ground down by slave holders. 奴隶受奴隶主的残酷压迫。
• It is recognition of compassion's part that leads the up-holders of capital punishment to accuse the abolitionists of sentimentality in being more sorry for the murderer than for his victim. 正是对怜悯的作用有了认识，才使得死刑的提倡者指控主张废除死刑的人感情用事，同情谋杀犯胜过同情受害者。

13 steer   

vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶

参考例句：

• If you push the car, I'll steer it.如果你来推车，我就来驾车。
• It's no use trying to steer the boy into a course of action that suits you.想说服这孩子按你的方式行事是徒劳的。

14 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。