Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-02-19
new IDEA OFFERED
IN AERIAL PATROL
Scouts Along the Coast to be Used
Both in Peace and in War
Time.
PLAN PART OF SCHEME.
Seaplanes Could be Used TO Sight
Enemy and Communicate With
Shore.

The aerial coast patrol proposed by
the Aereo Club of America plan in
trusted to Rear Admiral r. K. Peary,
as its originator. to develop and carry
to accomplishment a new
departure in preparedness for war
never attempted by any nation. and
utilization in time of peace OF saving
the lives OF these who go down 10 the
sea in ships.
The cooperation of the army and
navy and of the coast and geodetic
survey has been invited Other gov
ernment activities, especially the coast
guard, which is expected to benefit
most by the peace utilization of the ae-
rial patrol, are also included in the
scope of desired government cooper
alton.
Rear Admiral Peary has named a
number of members of a committee to
formulate working plans TO carry out
the scheme Among them is Assist
ant Secretary Byron r. Newton, of the
Treasury Department, in charge of the
coast guard Mr. Newton is also the
oretical aeronaut; as a newspaper man
he made a speciality of aeronautieaI
news ana was often in flyer He is
also member of the aeronautical
board OF the government, named TO
advise the army and navy
While the preparedness" part Of the
program is insisted upon by those who
conceived it, the humanity aspects of it
are regarded as OF even moro vital i'm
portance. For there are those that
predict that the navy some day--when
there cease to be wars and rumors or
wars-will be only an adjunct of the
coast guard, developed to it's highest
capacity as an aconomizer of life and
property, and that the navy. in peace
times win have peace work cout out
for it that is not entirely making ready
for war. but VIII have a commercial
and utilitarian purpose.
The idea. as set forth by the Aero
Club of America. is TO divide the At
lantic and Pacific coasts. the shores OF
the great lakes and the coast of the
ssealf OF Mexico into sections Of" "conve-
nient length. Say about one hundred
miles each" In each of these sections
would be established a coast defense
station, where would be erected a ham
gar for housing a seaplane and equip
ment to make all minor repairs. Sew
eral larger stations wodld be establish
ed at suitable intervals, where all more
complicated repairs could be made or a
complete overhauling given at regular
periods
Celebrating the plan, as set forth by
the Aero Club OF America, each hangar
would be The home of seaplane A
driver and an observer would be at
tached to it, The seaplane would be
equipped with light wireless apparatus
powerful hinocular glasses and a sen
sitive mierophone
The parity submerged derelict, :"
says the Aero Club of America, too
light to sink and constant menace to
traffic. would be spotted by the aerial
scout and its presence reported to the
proper authorities Wrecks. vessels in
Distress ana other marine accidents
would be reported and aid quickly be
summoned when necessary
But IL ever war should arise. in the
opinion Of Rear Admiral Peary.the first
value Of this coast patrol service would
BE The prompt report'rea and equip
ped for service" from hundred or
more trained flyers and observers. from
Vaccinations and helpers organized
into state of military preparedness. g