The sun., 1916-01-23
NAVY LISTING SHIPS
AVAILABLE FOR WAR
Also Getting Data on Ability
Of Private Yards to Turn
Out Auxiliary Vessels.
MOTOR BOAT RESERVE TOO

WAsHINGToN, Jan. %. -- Following
along the general lines OF the work being
done by the War department in collect
ing information concerning the avail
ability Of the railroad resources OF the
country in time OF war the Navy De-
partmcnt, II was learned to-day, Is
actively engaged in tabulaing compre-
hensive reports on the extent to which
private shipowners. shipbuildew and
manufac cturers could be depended on to
supply the needs Of the navy in time
Of emergency.
The collection Of the information IL
being done under the personal super
vision of Admiral William s. Benson,
chief OF operations of the navy. Officers
under him stationed at the various ship
yar>ls and munitions plants and others
canvaesing other factories are reporting
to him almost daily on Information
which the private companies are furnish
ing them with. As fast as these reports
are received In the bureau Of operations
copies OF them are made and sent to the
Naval War College 10 be filed away as
permanent records.
The first concern to the Department
has been to obtain all possible informa-
ton as to the number OF American ships
in the foreign and coastwise trade which
could he transformed on short notice into
naval auxiliaries and supply ships. their
tonnage, age, accommodations and gem
eral seaworthiness.
From the shipbuilders the representa-
tives of the Department are collecting
information concerning the extent 20
which these yards could turn out add-
| tional auxiliary ships In the event OF
sudden declaration OF war
Certain OF the officers have been
signed to the task Of interesting private
owners Of motor boats and other small
craft in the organization of reserve
suuadrons for use against hostile sub
marines, Great Britain having found
those small boats when properly armed
invaluable for this purpose.
Careful records are being kept of the
output OF the various munition factories.
IT being the purpose of the Department
to ascertain the extent to which the navy
in time of war might depend on these
factories to keep the magazines fuii on
board of the fighting craft.
While II is believed that many OF these
plants probably will go out Of business
at the close of the war in Europe or be
turned back to the use to which they
were formerly put the Navy Department
believes the information obtained is in
| valuable in showing what facilities
might be affordet In time of need
In still another direction the Depart
| ment is making special inquiries. In
| addition to finding ships and fighting
| material for the navy in time of war one
| OF the big problems would be that OF
supplies. Fuel oil and coal. in tre-
| mendous quantities would be required
for the boilers on the men-of-war. Food
and clothing for the sailors would need
| constant replenishing.
| Therefore representatives OF the De
| partment have been assembling vas
| quantities of detailed information from
private manufacturers in these lines, ~
| much an official OF the navy said to
| night that by the time all the data ara IL
| hand the Department Will be In position
at a moments notice to organize
complete supply service for everything
which the navy would need.
| No attempt has been made as yet II
| connection with the collection Of infor
| nation concerning available auNiliav'
merchant ships TO reach any understand
| ing with the private owners regarding
! The prices AT which these vessels coul,
be chartered. With the material il
| hand, however, officials believe that tn
| Department would he in much bette
position TO deal with the owners thai
1t was. for example. at the time of IN
war with Spain. when eNorbitant price
were paid in some cases for WORTHLESS
hulks.