30th January 1942
NOTES AND COMMENTS

Nothing is known at the moment of the doings of "The Unique", the submarine "adopted" by Pontefract for its Warship Week campaign next month. Perhaps, in the strict requirements of war, we shall not hear about its work for many a long day. But with such a name, it should make its presence felt, and the name might be expected to act as a stimulus to Pontefract people in their way, as well as the crew in its way. Castleford has also chosen to wage war on the enemy through a submarine. They are deadly weapons, and can be said to have come into their own after the German attacks on merchant shipping in 1917. Before that, they were regarded with suspicion by most naval men. Their work constitutes the most dangerous and exacting of all naval duties, and the crew are all volunteers. The vessels are required firstly for coastal defence, escort work, decoy work, and anti-submarine work. Those used in such duties are small and comparatively slow, but have very swift diving capacity. They work from a shore base, and carry thirty to forty men and three or four officers. Larger vessels, ocean-going, and capable of a six-week cruise, are used for blockade and reconnaissance; and when the time comes for attack, all of them co-operate with the rest of the Fleet in naval engagements. The average size of a submarine is 275 feet by twenty six and a half feet by twelve feet, and they can travel at over 15 knots on the surface, and nine submerged. Their armament is one 4-inch gun and two smaller ones. All told, they cost £425,000 and perhaps the aspect of the matter will interest Pontefract and Castleford people as much as any other. Neither town hopes to raise the complete cost during Warship Week, and the immediate aim has been made the cost of the hull - £175,000 certain; with a surplus towards the main and auxiliary machinery which costs the same amount.

1942 INDEX