rôle, the destroyer is a constant threat to the submarine, in its offensive rôle it is a great menace, because of its torpedo broadside to capital ships at night or when operated in large numbers in daylight against enemy battleships engaged in action with other battleships. Our destroyers made notable records in convoying troop and cargo ships during the World War, and since the war have rendered first relief work of efficient nature in Smyrna and in Japan. Uncle Sam is officially charged on the books with 289 destroyers, of which 14 are equipped for mine laying. Of this number, 178 have been placed out of commission because the personnel strength allowed the Navy is not sufficient to keep these 178 craft manned. At present these destroyers are stationed chiefly at Philadelphia and San Diego and are being kept in such state of preservation as is possible with funds allowed by congressional appropriations. It is estimated that with personnel to man them and funds to complete their equipage these destroyers could all be commissioned in a 45-day period. Q. What are the special functions of submarines? A. Submarines may be classified in three groups: Fleet, minelaying, and coastal. Fleet and coastal submarines use torpedoes as their chief offensive power. Mine-laying submarines were found to be of great importance during the World War, for in laying mines the submarine was able to approach the harbor mouth unseen and lay down a mine field that either blocked the enemy or made it necessary for the enemy to delay an exit from the harbor until the mine field was swept clear. Coastal submarines are of great use in coastal defense or in operations at sea where fleet speed or long cruising radius are not required. Nearly all our submarines in commission to-day were built on designs approved before 1917; as a consequence, most of them are unsuited to modern requirements to accompany and operate with the fleet. Ability to accompany the Battle Fleet at sea on long cruises, and ability to maintain station with the fleet during all manner of weather, is the prime requisite of the fleet submarine. For this reason these ships are constructed so as to be seaworthy, have a large cruising radius, all of which means a comparatively high tonnage. In operating with the Battle Fleet the duty of the fleet submarine is to act as a guard against submarine attacks from the enemy, and to take the offensive against the enemy when his force is engaged. When operating against the bases of the enemy the fleet submarine must be able to penetrate into the harbor where the enemy fleet lies and make its attack. This means that the fleet submarine must not only be able to accompany the fleet to sea on long cruises, but must have reserve fuel and munitions enough to make such an attack at the end of a cruise, and then be able to make its way back to its own base, or mother ship. Q. What are the special functions of naval aircraft? A. The principal services the naval air force performs in war are, first, information, and, second, harassing. Under harassing is included the destruction of material, such as enemy ships, enemy aircraft, enemy bases. It is axiomatic that the only way to get the highest efficiency in combat is to train together in times of peace. The arms that the admiral employs should be part of his machine, and they should be trained by him in times of peace, for the responsi-bility for war on the sea rests on his shoulders. The Navy Department has five types of airplanes: Training, fighting, observation, patrol, combined service (torpedo, scouting, and bombing). It is experimenting also with airships and their use for information purposes. There are four ways naval aircraft can operate: From shore stations, from some "mother" ship, from airplane carriers, and from the fighting ships. Sea air work is a specialty. Naval aviators must have extensive training such as will prepare them for the following particular tasks: (a) Patrol of trade routes in the approaches to terminal ports. (b) Attack on enemy vessels discovered in the area patrolled. (c) Attack on enemy ships lying in their bases. (d) Attack on enemy naval bases. (e) Forming protective escorts for convoys. (f) Reconnoitering for the fleet. (g) Attack on enemy aircraft prior to, and during a fleet action. (h) Bomb and torpedo attack on enemy vessels during a fleet action. (i) Spotting for gunnery during a fleet action. (j) Laying of smoke screens during a fleet action. (k) Screening fleets against submarines. In order to successfully carry out these different phases of sea air work, naval aviators must not only be able to fly and to fight in aircraft, but they must also be naval tacticians, navigators, and seamen. This means a sea training of years. Such a personnel must know throughly all types of own and enemy vessels, their ability to maneuver, powers of offense and defense, and sea value under different conditions of weather. Naval aviators must be indoctrinated in the battle tactics of their own fleet. They must be able to think in terms of naval warfare, and be responsive to the commander in chief's mind. A mistake in their report upon making contact with enemy forces may, later, bear heavily on the outcome in battie. They have need of experience in naval gunnery. Lack of ability in controlling the opening salvos of their fleet in action may result in the difference between victory and defeat. In these matters there is too much at stake for a nation to have other than men thoroughly trained in the particular tasks of sea air work; men who have grown up in the fleet and are a part of the fleet. Fleet sea air work is just as much a speciality as the torpedo attack of light vessels, the handling of submarines in battle, or the use of artillery in land warfare. Life and training at sea are fundamental for the special duties of naval aviation. Q. What does the Navy cost the average citizen? A. According to data prepared by the Director of the Budget of the United States, but 9.38 cents of every dollar of Federal (i. e., National Government) taxes is used for the upkeep and maintenance of our Navy. This data is based on the Budget estimates for the fiscal year 1926. The total estimated expenditures for the Navy for 1926 was $292,000,000. While this sum is large when considered by itself, it is less than one-tenth of 1 per cent of the national wealth. When considered as insurance against war, the cheapness of the premium is well worthy of consideration. When considered as an investment for the development of foreign trade and commerce, the amount seems meager, for the foreign trade of the United States for fiscal year 1924 totaled $7,868,773,329, of which $3,557,147,532 was imports and $4,311,625,329 exports. It is interesting to note, however, that only 31.4 per cent of the imports were carried in American merchant ships, which carried also 38.4 per cent of the exports. Aircraft, armament design for. conclusions regarding, by Special Navy Board. design, procurement, maintenance of, naval.. Page 23 18 23, 151 15 198 110 152 197 111 22 137 73, 148, 231 200 149 89 73 149 106, 111 23 154 134 136 197 43, 58 86 75 191 36, 58 150 37, 58 36, 37, 58 recommendations regarding, by Special Navy Board.. 154, 155 |