Air-Tight Subdivisions in Ships

Abstract

THE last two months have been unfortunate ones for shipping generally, and more particularly for the navies of at least four of the great powers. France has lost two torpedo boats under such circumstances as to involve the condemnation of a whole class of vessels. Germany and the United States of America have each lost a small fleet in a hurricane of unusual violence. Besides the material loss of ships these three nations have to bemoan the loss of a considerable number of men. Only little more than a month ago one of the largest ships of the British Navy stranded in waters rightly assumed to be perfectly safe, and has become a total wreck. Fortunately in this case there was no loss of life. Another of her H.M. ships only just escaped the disaster which overwhelmed the German and American fleets at Samoa, and the circumstances attending her escape are worthy of a moment's attention.