The author describes the type, size and general characteristics of the engines with which the German submarines were equipped at the time of the surrender, after having personally inspected 183 of them at that time, and then presents the general details of construction of these engines, inclusive of comments thereon.
The maneuvering gear for such engines receives lengthy consideration and the reliability of engines of this type is commented upon in some detail, the author having confirmed his opinion that the German submarine engine is extremely reliable.
One of the controlling factors in the design is that the Germans had investigated steel casting to the point where the successful production of steel castings was an ordinary process, and the author believes this to have been largely responsible for the success of the German submarine engine.
