Hunting Submarines with a Sound Detector American Invention That Played an Important Role in the War Against the V-Boat

April 5, 1919 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 335·

By Brewster S. Beach

FTER nearly two years of the closest censorship, the cable to the operator who was located in the ship's hold. abroad, the American submarine detectors were uni A United States Navy Department has given approval A third adaptation of the listening principle was an versally adopted by all the Allied navies. to the publication of certain data relating to the develop instrument which protruded through the hull and was a It was found to be much superior in many ways to ment in the United States during the war, of submarine stationary part of the vessel's equipment. A somewhat any of previous development, and came to be considered detecting devices, which were used to signal advantage similar device was constructed for use on submarines, but one of the most effective offensive weapons ever used by this country and the Allies in prosecuting and bringing all of them were used to advantage. Phonograph records against the submarine. It is only necessary to recount to a successful conclusion the campaign against the of various sounds heard by the observer were made and a few pertinent points to illustrate the practicability of German U-boat. catalogued, preserving a complete record of the accom the device. The apparatus may be termed the composite work of plishment of the detector. These records were used in Under ideal conditions with extraneous noises reduced the General Electric Company, Submarine Signal Com- training students to distinguish between submarine to a minimum or entirely eliminated, the device was and surface craft. effective at a range of from 15 to 25 miles. Under average circumstances, the device was good for a range Fitting Aircraft with Sound of between 3 and 8 miles. Trained operators could Detectors clearly and invariably distinguish between the sounds While demonstrating the made by approaching surface craft and underwater device to the British Admir vessels (submarines). Within five miles the engine alty, our American engineers characteristics of different vessels was clearly marked were asked to study the even to the point of identifying by name certain (unseen) question of fitting submarine vessels after they had been observed previously for more detection units to airplanes, than one time. (This test was substantiated by a series balloons and dirigibles. of night time experiments at the entrance to Boston After some experimenta harbor in September and October 1917.) It was found tion, followed by more prac practical to tell when a submarine changed from her oil tical tests and conferences engines to electrical drive which was necessary every with the Lancashire Group time the vessel submerged. The direction of sound could usu ally be computed within a very few tJZi:4- c5ta rt,-,,:"'-'-- •• degrees of its actual location and a good judgment of the distance could generally be made. This was proved to the satisfaction of all concerned following a number of practical tests off Cape Cod, Mass., in the late summer of 1917, in waters adjacent to Boston and in Long Island Sound. --/l!toclrby; .s.C.3? While in fairness to all of the sound 01/ one'cglihdricc/ ob/l!! ct· �_IttrdMrr!,H1OYements detecting devices developed during �rroi;/c oFter Chisattoclr the war period, it must be s!tid that the American device was in., rior in

I certain respects when it came ",0 the Using a trailer to remove the receiver application of these devices cL.1der ; from the noises of the ship's , ..D actual battle conditions, but in heavy own engines II/toe;" .s.c.."� sea and weather they stood up re- pany, Western Electric Company, the National Research Council, assisted and advised by .many eminent scientists, engineers and research men, chief among whom were Drs. W. R. Whitney, Irving Langmuir and W. D. Coolidge, Prof. R. A. Milikan, Prof. Max Mason, etc. Realizing that the prompt solution ; of the submarine problem was the key . ;; to a successful termination of hostilities, .Finish -SuiHno�/n. 'Te"�r�� "ro,"I,.� .?5Revo/ver .:!hot�heard Secretary Daniels, immediately upon our entr.ance into the conflict, appointed �..r/7dex = a special board to devise ways and 0 = Lhtening means to overcome it. • =f)epthCl1orge At the suggestion of Dr. Whitney, a ---a.(JosePo&horChasers group of scientists was formed at Na- ---=Cour.se orSv.bn7orine hant, Mass., under Dr. Irving Lang- '------_____: muir, where the results of extensive Chart of an actual pursuit of a U-boat which ended research activity were put to practical in the destruction of the submarine tests under actual conditions as nearly as possible approaching those in European waters. of scientists at Harwich, apparatus Another group under Prof. Milikan, head of the was developed which met these needs Physics Department of the University of Chicago, was and many aircraft were equipped organized at New London, Conn., where the work of with sound detectors which rendered both bodies was later coordinated. it possible for them to follow the Out of the efforts of these two groups and the work course of the enemy after they had carried on in Schenectady,assisted by Allied commissions seen her submerge, a valuable faculty of scientific men, there grew the American Submarine which such craft did not possess until Detector-a development of the old principles of sound the introduction of the American wave transmission in water in an altogether new and detector. startling manner. . Permission has not yet been ob The apparatus, finally perfected and put to immediate tained to enter into a detailed de use, was first designed to hang overboard from naval scription of the devices invented craft amidship below the water line and it depended for during this period. The Gonrn Using the listening device in an American submarine its direction getting qualities on the peculiar and here ment, having spent large sums of tofore little understood faculty of the human ear to money on the apparatus, desires the intricacies of its markably well. This factor was of especial value during detect the direction of sound by the shifting of that sound manufacture still kept secret, while other matters involv operations in the English Channel and the North Sea from one ear to the other. ing several American concerns, makes discretion the which has been termed the roughest body of water fo . ; Owing to the interference of sounds made by the better part of valor in attempting to tell the inner secrets its size in the world. listening ship's own motors, it was found more practical of its development. The addition of these listening devices to submarines to stop the engines when about to take observations and However, when the devices had proved themselves added the heretofore lacking sense of hearing to all the this added greatly to the effectiverange of the instrument. eminently sati�factory after exhaustive experimentation underwater craft and made them at once a much more To overcome this obstacle, another device was devel here, the Navy Department organized a special Service effective weapon of offense. An Allied submarine on oped which could be trailed off the stern a hundred or so Party under Capt. R. H. Leigh of the Bureau of Steam one occasion chased a German U-boat for four hours, feet away where the engine noises of the ship were out of Engineering to demonstrate the detectors to the British while both craft were submerged, without once losing range and the sound was then brought in by electric Admiralty. Shortly after the arrival of this party (Continued on page 353)

worm; but it has been done. In one district of the �eychelles lslands, for instance, every one of the 740 houses now has an approved latrine, thoug;h only Sf'ven were so equipped when the work began. '] he suggestion that this statement refer� to European residents can easily be dis posed of by citing the fact that for the entire archipelago the white population i� but 600. And what has been done in Sevchelles has been done-in small areas, - to be sure, but none the less effcctively for (j)/je $i20 those areas-in the West Indies, in �iam, r/ in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in our own ,./1(Jooa S/Jop southern st.ates. Perhaps in the last may have confidencein the named locality the problems of the workers you were as acute as anywhere, because here goods of a men's wear shop that there was to be combatted not alone recommends the Boston Garter. popular ignorance and indifference, but You may be sure that the policy a.ctual hostility against interference with of the dealer is to give the cus th() liberty of the individual. Yet in 66 tomer full value for his money. he I the communities in the South where 1 of 300 Boston Garter is first in quality and this sort of work was conducted within a �� first in service. Ask for it. certain period, not a home was left without an approved latrine; the percentage of 3!; c�nta and upward in lead $4� $4':!!! $5'� $6'� $r� & $8'� ine .tor�. from coaat to coaat. I houses so equipped before the campaign IF you have been paying $10.00 to $12.00 for fine GE:ORGE: FROST CO" MAKERS. 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NOT only because crude Hunting Submarines with a Sound and fuel oils are cheaper, but because inherent quality is always Detector economy, the Bessemer Oil Engine (Continued from page 335) proves the ideal low·cost power. sound contact with the fleeing enemy. plant investment COMPARE I I The graphic 'chart published herewith Compare not only the cost but '-AT NT will indicate to the reader, the ability of 0 the read)} availability of oil with other fuels; compare Bessemer submarine chasers to maintain sound 'The Liqui�_Wax Paint Adr conslrucfon. simplicity and reli contact with the enemy and the efficiency for Catalolf ability with other engin .. ' No of the direction qualities of the devices Manufacturers! Engineers! Buyers! Use this paint and matter what your basis of comparison. when used in this manner. lave money. Waterproofs wood permanently. Prevents de will choooe the Be.s.nerl you invariably cay. Fill, pores. One painting outlasts five of linseed paint. Quick deliveries 15 tu 180 H. P. Chaaing a U-Boat to Its De�th Costs leas. Spreads twice as far. Won't bli,ter or peel. Flat, The Bellemer Gas Engine Co. The engagement which it illustrates smooth finish. Big saving poslible on every outside job. 14 York St .• Grove City. Pa. occurred one early morning in the English Made in Red, Maroon, Dark Brown, Natural Brown (clear). Channel. A small squadron of submarine Bl ack. BESSEME& chasers discovered an enemy craft moving Color chart and free ,ample on request OIL ENGINES slowly up the Channel submerged. Form- ing for the attack they rushed over the THE REILLY COMPANY, Indianapolis, Ind. PI nta: Jndi napoli.. Mlnneapol Mobile Se tUe Norfolk l spot where their listeners indicated the

U-boat to be, dropped a pattern of depth attack was usually made when the sub bombs and then withdrew to take observa- marine was 400 or 500 yards ahead and all tions. three boats of a unit steaming full speed BLACK WALNUT Feverish activity and the sound of ahead, would lay a pattern of depth charges MONARCH of the FOREST hammers ringing against the ship's side over the area where the plotted position was heai·d. The subrr :OJ'ine motors would showed the submarine to be. A Grove is the !!reatest possible compliment to a man s vision and foresight. then start up and stop, start and stop Three of the chasers patrolling in forma- AS AN ORCHARD TREE. It's a dividend payer; again. tion abreast one dark night heard a sub- growing rapidly; giving returns at six or seven years of age; enduring severest cold, heat and drouth; having few Further attacks were delivered and more marine approaching. The bearings ob if any enemies. noise came to the listeners from the hold tained by the two beam vessels pointed INCOME. $10,000 It's said one thousand trees (twenty of the submarine. Evidently the first directly toward the center boat. The acres) will produce an income of $10,000. AS A ROAD SIDE TREE. It's indispensahle, thrives un. depth charge had taken good effect and middle boat now heard the submarine der the most adveree conditions, producing delicious the enemy's crew was making a last desper- approaching from a position dead astern. \Valnuts even on rough land, worthless for orchards. ate effort to reach the surface. Then there The enemy came nearer and nearer arid AS A TIMBFR TREE. It's supreme; producing the niost beautiful and the most costly of all hard woods; a tree' is was a dead silence broken at last by 25 finally passed right under the sub-chaser so easily worth $200.00 at 'thirty yea,s of age. sharp reports like revolver shots. The close to the surface that those on board felt AS A LAWNTREE. It's an aristocrat; beautiful, '�·mmet· crew, committed rical form, magnificent proportions. giving up in despair, had a wave of water along the keel of their More about Itin our 1919 Cala/og. FRET? suicide. The loss of this submarine was ship. Ten pounds of meat.S shelled from a GLEN BROS.. Inc.. GlenW"ood Nurser� (Gst'd 1866) later substantiated by the British Intelli- When the German had passed on and bushel of lluts Bold at 8Oc. per pound. Main St.. Rochester, N. Y. 1817 gence Department. out in front, the attack was made in unison, When Capt. Leigh and his party went a pattern of depth bombs was "let go" abroad in November, 1917, he requested and the little fleet halted for further obser the Admiralty to loan him two high speed vations. Pretty >Otranto Foreign Trade in Furniture' Because of the deeper water and less The Value of Suggestion interference from surface traffic, listening EVERAL phases of the war and peace conditions were unusually good. A bar S time activities of the Forest Products rage line of boats was organized across Laboratory at Madison, Wis., have a I n a recent interference proceeding involv Otranto Straits, between the mainland and bearing on the problems of shipping the Island of Corfu, to put an effective stop furniture overseas. These cover the con ingfive separate applicants for a patent, to the enemy's free entrance to the Medi ditioning or preparation of the wood to suit terranean. the climate to which the furniture will be three of them attributed their conception of The German submarines leaving Pola sent, the use of waterproof glues, kiln were obliged to go through Otranto Straits drying, boxing and crating for overseas the invention to an illustrated article ap to get to the Mediterranean, and once shipments, and possible treatments to through they had things practically their prevent depredations of wood destroying pearing in the SCIENTIFIC AMERI own way, as there were very few patrol insects. While information is at hand on boats in the Mediterranean. The tonnage general principles, the application of these C AN. By placing before your engmeers, sunk during the first three years of the war principles to the needs of the furniture shows the condition that existed before the industry has never been studied, and can designers and mechanics for systematic Otranto barrage was put into effect. not be undertaken without the cooperation Our submarine chasers while on barrage of manufacturers. study, copies of patents, you may stir their in were constantly in sound contact with In general, it can be stated that furniture enemy submarines, especially at night, as manufactured in the north central states ventive faculties to vour great advantage. i they usually attempted to get through will check and open up when sent to desert during the dark hours. They would run regions, and that its wood will swell, the We can furnish complete sets of United down on the surface at their maximum glue joints open up, and the veneering '1 speed and could be heard for an hour or two come off when it is sent to tropical humid States Patents--properly classified--relat I before they came to our line. The dif regions. Exact knowledge of the climatic , ference of sound between an oil engine and conditions surrounding the use of the to your particular line of work m con I an electric motor is so marked that it was furniture at its destination, and a re ing comparatively easy to tell when they production of these conditions in the factory form for ready reference. Write changed from one to the other which was through the control of humidity in work venient I necessary as soon as they submerged. As rooms, should offer the successful solution Manufacturers Service Department. they knew approximately where our line of this problem; This wou{d be coupled our was they invariably submerged two or three with consideration of drying the lumber to miles before they reached the line. the proper moisture content, and shipment The course of the submarine was plotted in moisture-proof packages to insure SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN to scale by the flagship of a unit from bear delivery in good conditIon. ings given to it from the other tw( boats It is felt that the Laboratory can be of 626 Woolworth Building New York City and also from its own bearings. When the considerable assistance to the furlliture submarine had approached sufficiently industry along these lines, should the close, the unit was got underway and manufacturers care to take advantage of maneuvered into position for attack. The the facilities available.