SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT HOLLAND,           ATLANTIC BASIN, BROOKLYN, N.Y.         July 19th, 1899.           Sir:- (1)  Yesterday the Holland Torpedo Boat company, informed me, that today they intended to make a trial of this Boat, and invited me to be present. (2)  Accepting this invitation, I found upon the Tug Boat ac- companying the Holland, a numerous party who likewise had been invited, among them - Lieut. Geelmuyden, H.M. Naevy, Sweden and Norway. (3)  Upon the trial, for the purpose of making myself better fit- ted for the Official Trial soon to take place; I went down in the Holland and remained in her, during the entire trip of more than one hour; at least half of which was under water. (4)  At this time I have only two facts to report, viz:               (a)  That she made several dives to a depth of (12) feet, and that she did so at the will of the operator.               (b)  That at the surface, under a very low impellant pressure, without making smoke or noise, or otherwise making known her presence: she fired a dummy dynamite shell, to a distance (me judice) of about 400 yards. (5) I argue from this, that she can do this in Havana Harbour; that is so, she might under god, save much human Life in the reduc- tion of that place, and that therefore, she ought to go in readiness for that event as early as possible. The Honourable Secretary of the Navy, Very Respectfully, (Sgd.) JOHN LOWE. Chief Engineer U.S. Navy