The Washington times., 1915-02-19
Fleet Held at Strategic Point on
Atlantic Seaboard, in Reach
of Either Coast.
TWO SHIFTS At ALL YARDS
Smaller Vessels Are BEING
Hastily Armed and Made
Seaworthy at New York.

day publishes the following article:
The Atlantic fleet has been assem-
bled at the most strategic point along
the Atlantic seaboard-just of Cuba's
south coast. and in easy and sheltered
reach Of the Atlantic coast or of the
Panama canal.
Less than one month ago the fleet
received orders to proceed to Guam
tanamo, Cuba, for winter maneuvers.
At that time 1t was the intention Of
the officials IN Washington to send the
battleships and smaller warcraft
through the Panama canal. beginning
February IS last, In a big naval parade
TO San Francisco.
The naval parade was postponed un-
til some time in March. Since the first
.4ostponement it has been put off until
a further date. 1t is the consensus of
opinion in naval circles today that it
will not be held for a long time to
come.
Double Shifts At Work.
The conveyance Of the backbone ves-
sells OF the American navy IN Cuban
waters has been attended by an unusual
increase of activity in the nations navy
yards. In strange comparison to the
usual winter working conditions In the
various yards, this month finds every
ono Of them busy and running with
regular or increased forces.
The unemployment situation in New
York has not reached the New York
Navy Yard. A visit there yesterday
showed the entire plant working at top
speed from one end to the other. Day
and night the machine shops are busy
turning out new parts for Americas sea
fighters.
In one department., despite, the fact
the greater portion of the fleet Is in
Southern waters, there are about 100
more men working than there were be-
fore Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher
headed the nose of the superdread-
naught Wyoming. his flagship. toward
Cuba
In double shifts. civilian employees in
the local yard a: overhauling and ilx-
ing the ships left In Wallabout. The
style of work being done IL noticeable.
There are almost twenty vessels docked
there for repairs. yet only one OF them
ae q battleShip.
Work On Small Ships Rushed.
Most of the work is being done on
email ships-craft necessary for naval
efficiency as it Is being respelled by Eu-
ropes sea fights. Several Of the vessels
being put In fighting trim long have
suffered minor neglect because Of the
pressing needs of larger ships.
An example of the thoroughness with
which the Navy Department seems to
be overhauling it's fighting force is the
converted yacht Aileen. One OF the
1t has been the school ship for the Rhode
Island naval militia for many years. Ex-
cept for nicely mounted guns for salut-
ing purposes, 1t has been innocent OF
armament.
Recently it was ordered to New York.
1t Is being overhauled. Real guns are
ready to be placed aboard. The craft
then will be fit for scouting purposes
end river reconnaissance.
Pride Of the Navy There.
Although little has been heard or
said Of the matter. largely because OF
the daily interest In naval and mill
tary affairs of the other hemisphere
the present maneuvers off Guantana-
mo bay are probably the most i'm
portant ever held by the Atlantic fleet
With only few exceptions, the
pride of the American navy Is there
OF the first line battleships--includ-
ing the monster superdreadnaughts
which match anything afloat--only
four are missing. The North Dakota
had to put back to Norfolk because OF
engine trouble.
The South Carolina is at Philadel-
phia. undergoing minor repairs. the
Delaware is at Vera cruz, and the
Texas is off Staten Island. The last
mentioned ship will poke her nose
Sn
cruise to Norfolk for ammunition anC
then Join the fleet.
Dreadnaughts Assembled.
A majority Of the second-line battle.
srips are with the dreadnaughts. Ths
cruiser squadron is in the same
waters. with it's complement of gun
boats. Five divisions of torpedo boa
destroyers also have joined the largel
ships,/ \ reserve division of destroy
ers Is At hey West ana another a
Charleston.
In easy reach of the rendezvous
are two divisions OF submarines will
their tenders-one at Cristobai, Cana
Zone, and the other at Pensacola. Fla
Another division of underwater boat
is at Norfolk, and still another at th'
New York navy yard. Those In Walla
bout are the G-2 and G-l. The G.
will leave here next week for Annapolis
1t Is expected to join the division
at Norfolk later and speed to Penso
cola. The G-l and G-2 will leave New
York ior Suthern waters soon after
ward. The submarines will be pu
through rigid tests and drills of
Pensacola. 1t cannot be Learned
whether they later will join the flee
at Guantanamo.
Not Likely To Break Up.
Speculation yesterday on the part O
those in a position to judge the presen
situation drew comparison in the 10
sition Of the American fleet and tina
of the British before the Europea
war. The British iieet was assemble
in home waters Tor large and spec
tacular review.
After the review was over the flee
strangely stayed together instead O
breaking up into squadrons and divi
sions. Not until the first rumblings O
tho present war We're heard was tn
fnrsightedness OF the British admiralt
recognized,
1t WAS forecast yesterday by sever
al persons of authority that a continu
ancc OF the present European situat.o
may see the American fleet hoveIln
near Guantanamo long after the tim
for winter drill is past.