Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 230, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1919 — Page 2

Defector That Doomed the Hun U-Boat

by B rewster S. Beach

11 AT EVER plans Germany may be f making for the “next wap,” If in truth she is or ever will be capable of carrying them out, it is certain that the submarine will play no part in her I The submarine is dead. The Uo boat peril has vanished forever, never to be resurrected. The collapse of submarine warfare during the closing months of the European conflict and the prediction that its resumption may never be seriously feared again, was the result of the invention in the United States of a wonderful listening device, *> r submarine detector, which came very - close to idrlvlng the Hun submersible from the ocean, and •would have done so, In the opinion of naval experts, had the war continued through another summer. • ’ 1 As soon as the United States entered the war the navy department formed a special board to develop ways and means for combating the U-boat peril, then growing to alarming proportions. This board consisted largely of officers from the bureau of steam engineering, of which Hear Admiral R. S. Griffin Is chiefs It called to its assistance in an advisory capacity many noted engineers and scientists from Industrial concerns, including the General Electric company, represented by Dr. W. R. Whitney, director of that company’s research laboratories. Commander C. S. McDowell, U. S. K. served as ■executive secretary of the board, while the other (advisory members were Col. F. B. Jewett of the "Western Electric company, and Prof. It. A. Millitam of the University of Chicago. Development headquarters were established at iNew London, Conn. The General Electric company in conjunction with the Submarine Signal company of Boston started an experimental field <rt»Mon at Nahant. Mass., and, were later Joiae<Lby. experts from the Western Electric company. ' ~ scientists there was developed the American listening device, an Instrument which proved to be able successfully to detect submarines while submerged within range of anywhere between 3 and 12 miles. Even with the signing of the peace treaty little tan yet be known of the details of this device. It Is, however, an instrument using the principle of «ound-wave transmission through whter in a new and startlirg way and it depends for its dl-xection-getting qualities on the peculiar and littleunderstood faculty of the human ear to detect the direction of sound by the shifting of sound from one ear t p the diher as the Instrument was revolved. As soon as the device was considered practical the General Electric company undertook its manufacture on a largo scale in Lynn. Mass"], developing three kinds of listeners: One which was hung overboard from the deck of submarine chasers, another which could be trailed off the stern and S third which protruded through the hull .of the vessel. American destroyers, chasers and submarines were at once equipped .with the instrument. When the submarine detector had been turned »out in sufficient quantity, the navy department believed that the allies should get the benefit of the ilnvention at once. A special service party, in (charge of Capi. R. H. Leigh, of the bureau of steam •engineering, was formed to take samples of the apparatus abroad and test it under actual conditions before the British admiralty. The instrument was likewise demonstrated to the French land Italian navies. The party, consisted, besides •Captain Leigh, of Lieutenant Carter. U. S. N., Enrtrign Welch, U. S. N. R. F., six enlisted men, C. E. Eveleth.-<5. F. Scott, and T. P. Collins of the Gen- - eral Electric - company, representing the Nahant •group, and W. L. Nelson of the Western Electric company, who was connected with wireless development. They sailed November 22, 1917, and (joined the British grand fleet at Scapa Flow in 'the Orkney Islands during the first week of the (following month. ’ . The admiralty and the -supreme war council .shortly afterward adopted the American device jand from that time on submarine patrol work was {revolutionized. Defensive tactics which had been employed {since 1914 were now no longer the sole reliance. The war was carried Into the enemy’s territory. ■Fighting ships, instead Of patrolling the steamship janes looking for a stray “sub” to poke its -

periscope above the waves, were augmented by submarine chasers equipped with listening devices, and hunted the submarine in its underwater lair. Up to this time the British had been frankly disappointed in results. It had been a rare thing for a submarine chaser to actually see a submarine. Days would go by without sight of one. creased n 1 ;irm 1 n illy, _imd_ni.fi ...rates oldestrUCßqm. and construction constantly approached the danger point. It was apparent that if an improvement in this situation could not be effected the allies faced privation, if not actual starvation, and any material help from America either in the form of men or supplies would be impossible. The success of the device is well illustrated by the chart shown herewith which gives a vivid picture of the chase of an enemy U-boat in the English channel and demonstrated the ability of the listeners to keep hot on the trail of the submarine, doubling and crossing in an effort to escape. This dramatic incident —one of many—is vividly , described in the following report of the engagement in question:, - ■* “At 1:25 o'clock unit No. 6 ffixed’ (located by triangnlntion) a submarine directly ahead at a dlsboat barrage attack, each boat letting go three stern charges and ‘T’ gun. Pattern laid symmetrically, thoroughly covering any possible maneuver of the "submarine. Stopped and listened. No bearing for about 20 minutes. Then got contact. Distinct sound of submarine making noise as if, shafts were badly bent. Also giving out squeaking sound. Submarine sounded as if having great difficulty in keeping propeller going. She stopped frequently. We,followed. . . . Heard submarine hammering, squeaking, sfraffilngyfunning intermittently, apparently with greaV difficulty and for short periods. “The second depth charge of this attack threw into the air a 50-foot to 60-foot cylindrical black object about the, size of a depth charge. .•. . > Another depth charge attack carried out Submarine had gradually, been, making -Shorter turns for some time. ... From this point on believe submarine bottomed and was never able to move except to start and scrape along the bottom a short distance. Noises indicated this.” * ' Word was then sent to Penzance for additional depth charges and a radio dispatched to the base for a destroyer post haste. “Subsequent events,” continues the report,. “show that submarine never moved from this spot Noises Indicated repair. Occasional unsuccessful attempts to start motor . . . sounds rapidly becoming less frequent" When morning came the submarine chasers and the destroyer which had been sent to their assistance gathered near the spot where the crippled submarine was resting at the bottom. Sounds of

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

feverish activity within the submarine’s hull were distinctly heard. Suddenly there was a dead silence. Then 25 revolver shots rang out —three first, followed by 22. “Taking into consideration all circumstances and events,” continues the account, “conclude submarine damaged externally, unable to start motor after repeated attempts. Unable to rise to surface and is on bottom in the vicinity. Reports of listeners substantiate this conclusion.” As a matter of fact, the British naval intelligence department learned later that the crew of a German submarine had been lost In the English channel about this very time. The report, as they obtained It, indicated that the Hun boat had been trapped on the bottom and so seriously damaged she was unable to rise. C. S. Scott, engineer of the General Electric company and member of special party sent abroad, contributes this incident which happened in the Adriatic sea: “We had 36 chasers based In a little bay on the Island of Corfu and the barrage of boats extended across the Straits of Otranto, a distance of about 40 miles. The chasers were operated in units of three, which on patrol kept about one mile apart. A distance of five mileswas kept, between _ •nril+o th'r rtiflrffftlp" tOFhunting submarines. The water was very ranging from 400 to 600 fathoms, which meant that the submarines when hard pressed could not seek shallow water as was their custom in the English channel and the North sea. Due to less shipping traffic in these waters there was practically no sound interference, which made for very good listening. , . • “Many successful attacks were made in these waters, one in particular being quite exciting. “One of the ships in a unit heard what sounded like a submarine. In a few minutes all three listeners had* picked him up and the bearing of his course was being plotted. The middle chaser, the flagship, was getting readings showing that the submarine was in a direct line astern, and steaming toward (her. - =- —— ~ ••The was very loud, as If the sub must be very close. Suddenly the water began to slap the bottom of the boat, so that everyone could feel it; and the next moment the observer reported that his bearing on the submarine had changed from 180 degrees, which, was dead astern, to three degrees, which was on our bows. The submerged submarine had passed directly under the center boat. All three boats were immediately got under way and the attack was delivered. After all the depth charges had been dropped, the ships were stopped and observations again taken. A propeller was heard to start up and ran for about 30 seconds; and then a crunching noise was heard. It was quite evident that the sub, having been put out of control, sank to the bottom and had collapsed due to I the’ tremendous pressure at these depths. We went back to the spot next morning and. found an oil slick two miles long by 800 yards wide on the surface of the water.” The development of the submarine detector was the result of the foresighted vision of the navy department and the generous co-operation extended by private manufacturers who had placed their entire organizations at the disposal of the government for the period of the war. Large electrical manufacturers with exceptional facilities for research and experimental work were 1 able to render invaluable assistance in cracking the submarine “nut.” \ In fact, it may be said thilt “big business” In the commonly accepted meaning of the term, will be found to have contributed k very large share toward winning the war when the whole record of war’s inventions comes to be written.

FALL DESIGNS

More Width Is the Decree of Leader* of Fashion. Extensive Choice Will Be Allowed Wearers in the Selection of Favorite Goods and Colors. The phrase that suihs, up the neW fashions for the autumn is “more width.” There is a'very distinct movement on foot to get away from the narrow, constricted styles. Paris never adopted the lead-pencil silhouette with its long tight skirt that was used by some American houses. To the easy width that they have been using they have added even more fullness; in tunics, circular skirts, '"gathered skirts and hip draperies. The most distinct departure in the styles is the tnnio, oirrnlar floance and cularskirt. This new cut hot only gives more width, but a new silhouette, because there is a flare at the bottom. For street dresses these skirt styles will be used in trlcotine,. soft twills, light-weight duvetyn, serge, gabardine, broadcloth, checks and plaids. The same materials will be used for the chemise dresses which Paris goes on creating with fresh variety and interesting details in the way of new vests, tucked skirts, etc. For afternoon dresses the smartest materials wilt be the satin-finished silks like satin, chartneuse and crepe meteor. Faille and moire will also be good, because they have a certain stiffness and body which accents the new silhouette. Taffeta will be used, but will not be as fashionable as satin. These same silk materials will be employed for evening, for the theater ahd for dancing dresses. For their most formal evening gowns older women will use the Cloths, while young girls and debutantes will use tulle, chiffon, georgette or net as well as the soft silks and sating. For day dresses there will be the short sleeve, the open neck, either; collarless or with one of the new standaway or plaited collars, the long blouse, the redingote styles, the use of multitucked skirts, versions of the vest, and the draped hip-length body that suggests the line of the figure. The wide circular skirts are used for street dresses, afternoon dresses and evening gow r ns, but not for suits. For the suit there is a slightly wider skirt with straight lines, hut with no unnecessary width, which would be burdensome in walking. For the suits the coats are also cut on a straight silhouette, even when there is the effect of soft fullness that you get in the new blouse coats. The autumn suits will be made on more tailored lines, especially when they are used for hacking and walking. You will find them at their smartest in striped and checked materials, in men’s-wear mixtures, tweed, oxford and covert cloth. They are also made of serge, poplin, gabardine, tricotine and twills. These last materials can be used for either the tailored or the semi tailored suit, and for the latter there are also the duvetyn, velveteens, wool velours, meltons, camel’s-hair cloth and broadcloth. The very long belted coat is used by the French houses and is extremely good looking.—From Delineator.

MILADY’S COIFFURE

A charming effect In women's hairdress produced by an exquisitely constructed comb, somewhat resembling a beautiful butterfly.

FASHION TIPS

Great vogue is predicted for the novelty hatpin in the iarge ball shapes. Autumnal browns and refls are proclaimed the leading suit shades for falL Apricot-colored duvetyn, couched all over in navy blue, makes an attractive short overblouse. Short sleeves are growing * ° street models. Hip drapings and pannier effects are accentuated in the youthful taffeta evening frocks. Lace tunics, stiffened so that they attend outward, are a feature of some smart dance and dinner dresses. Hair doth is used for this purpose. The all-blaek hat is indorsed as fee most fashionable for dressy wear, and velvet is the chosen material for ex* elusive models. A smart tailored satin is allover embroidered in lighter shade In ratine embroidery and has a shallow ripple sod deep tunic, both circular.

NEW DESIGN FOR SMART BAG

Receptacle Will Be at Its Best in Black and Gold Ribbon, or Silver Brocade. This bag is extremely smart and at the same time very easily made. It looks particularly well in ribbon of black and gold or silver brocade, as in onr sketch. - One yard of- ribbon is required about 9 inches wide. This you double In halves wrong side out, and stitch up both sides within 7 inches of the top, and turn out. Next cut lining same shape, allowing %-inch turnings. This you also join within 7 inches of top. Place

Novel Bag.

this inside bag. Now get a bone ring, either in black or color, and put one done, stitch to the other side, making a seam in the ordinary way, with turnings wrong side. Join up your lining in the same way, sdeing that your turnings are outside, so that when lining and ribbon are placed together both lining ahd bag are perfectly neat, with bone ring between both. Ail that is now required is to slipstitch opening at sides of bag neatly together, when the bag will be ready for use.

BLACKS AND BROWNS AGAIN

Sober Colors Just Now Showing a Revival of Popularity Hard to Account for. Why the recent vogue for black evening frocks? At the present time there is just the right setting for colors so brilliant and colorful—and gaudy, if you will—as to suit the most primitive of us. Fact is, dark colors were put on the shelf when the armistice was signed and there was a striking showing of colors of brilliant hue. But these new black frocks that a good many smart women are getting are rather different. They are of lace and they are sometimes trimmed with brilliant ribbon or silk sashes. They are as diaphanous and as sprightly as the wing of a dusky butterfly. Still they are black, and it does seem strange that one should want to wear black when peace has come and summer Is here. But even odder is the persistence of the brown frock. This made its appearance just before the end of the war, and it was extremely smart, but with the craze for bright Victory colors It went into short retirement, only to blossom forth more interesting than cause now that lt is sumraer one would think that brown, which is warm, if any color ever was, would have nc place in our wardrobes. But somehow It is true that the brown frock even in the evening has a certain distinguished appearance that is hard to account for. Sometimes it Is a golden brown that goes very well with metallic gold and bronze tissue in evening gowns, and then sometimes it is mordore, reddish brown. And by the way there is an accent on that “e,” giving to the word three syllables, a fact that does not seem to be recognized by all who I speak of the color.

LATE IDEAS IN MILLINERY

Among Them Is a Pretty Hat of Verv sailles Blue—Ostrich Trimming Used Effectively. Many novelties are included In the lines of high-priced millinery that are being shown in New York for the fall season. One novel hat In Versailles blue is a rather”small shape with the brim folded back on four sides, the upturned faces of wh’ch are trimmed with beautiful beading. At each corner is a fancy bit of eoque in a brilllant shade of blue and orange. Interlacing in a basket weave effect is used In TnnnV Interesting wa-yw In other hat* - displayed. Ribbons are much used sot this purpose, as are bias folds of yel* vet. One model of this typo is a highfront turban with the top interlaced in brown and orange. Rows of ostrich trimming cover the front and give a novel effect. Another novelty seen is a “tam” of black and terracotta duvetyn. - - ' '

Dress Little Girls Alike.

A-New York fancy is to dress the little girls of the family alike, when their ages range from say five to ten years. Coats, dresses, hosiery, hair ribbons and millinery are identical.