Submarine menace

Increasing gravity

Threat is too serious

ALTHOUGH the enemy may indulge in a great deal of exaggeration and nonsense respecting the alleged submarine blockade of England, yet it is folly to attempt to disguise the fact that the peril is real, and is increasing in gravity.

Yesterday, for instance, the names of six fresh victims in the mercantile marine were announced, among them one which was torpedoed by the private murderers while she was attempting the rescue of a vessel previously attacked.

Large as is the published list of torpedoed ships, it may, we fear, be assured that many vessels are sunk, with the loss of all hands, of whose destruction the public know nothing.

It must be remembered that the activity of enemy submarines is displayed on parts of trade routes distant from our shores, that there is no attempt on our part to save life, and that unless survivors reach land no information is published.

It is, of course, impossible to say whether news of such losses reach the authority and is withheld from the Press.

Possibly not, but with the policy pursued and imposed in regard to air raids and in other directions a measure of doubt on the subject is not wholly arguable.

We have said above that the menace is increasing in gravity, and with the constant additions to the enemy’s submarines, with the increase in size and in speed, with powerful above-water armament, and ability to cover long distances without replenishing stores, the German boast of what these craft can do and will do is not lightly to be dismissed.

As was shown by the attack on the Armenian the submarines now being added to the German fleet are powerful surface cruisers as well as deadly underwater craft.

This fact, not yet fully grasped by us, is touched upon in the letter of ‘A Shipowner’ in ‘The Times,’ who writes: ‘The newspapers and the general public do not seem to realise the seriousness of the chase and sinking of the Armenian.

‘A 20-knot submarine is a menace to our mercantile marine that should not be treated lightly.

‘We, of the shipping world,’ he continues, ‘are amazed that the Admiralty should allow such a vessel as the Armenian, with its invaluable contents, to come within the danger zone unescorted by destroyers.’ But even destroyers do not provide absolute security, for the enemy has sunk these vessels as well as others.

The ingenuity of the foe is deluding his victim’s reserves, another illustration from the statement of the captain of the LC Tower, who says that the submarine which sank his vessel afterwards rigged two dummy canvas funnels and two masts, and also fitted a dummy bow and stern.

Smoke issued from the funnels and the vessel appeared exactly like a heavy-laden steamer.

Reference has already been made to the long distances the latest German submarines can cover without replenishing fuel or stores.

It is claimed for them that two or three have made the voyage from Cuxhaven to Constantinople; if this is true, then it is no empty boast that they can cross the Atlantic with the reported intention to establish a secret submarine base somewhere along the coast of New England.