This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ...speeds. The boats will have to be slowed materially on reaching the range. Then, too, prior to discovery, it will not be advisable to steam at more than 12 knots, to avoid water disturbance and flame at the funnels. When the time for working up to full speed after discovery, and then reducing to allow of accurate ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ...speeds. The boats will have to be slowed materially on reaching the range. Then, too, prior to discovery, it will not be advisable to steam at more than 12 knots, to avoid water disturbance and flame at the funnels. When the time for working up to full speed after discovery, and then reducing to allow of accurate torpedo discharge is considered, there will be a very inappreciable difference in the two boats. In fact the high speed boat will not have time to work up to full speed, and the slower boat may arrive as soon. This argument may be modified to a certain extent by the new device that will permit torpedoes to be launched with accuracy at any speed. But when we consider that a boat discovered at 1500 yards is in all probability a boat lost, if she attempts the attack, and that success depends on getting pretty close to torpedo range without discovery at all, the argument in favor of the 30-knotter as opposed to the boat of 22j knots is reduced to practically nothing. All the above to be understood to apply to the case of the boat operating from a shore base, or with the squadron on its own coast for limited periods. As to being able to strike quickly from a distance, of course the higher the speed, the better; but the difference between 30 knots and 2234 does not warrant the very considerable sacrifice of other qualities for this purpose alone. Now as to avoiding the destroyers in the enemy's fleet. Here is the only approach to" an argument for the higher speed. If you can arrange that a torpedo-boat of average size with high speed and no coal endurance shall start from port and find the enemy without delay, she may with her speed get past the enemy's destroyers should they sight her, provided the weather is perfectly calm. With any sea on, the la...
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