Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-07
HYDRo-AERoPLANE MADE
 TRIP TO NORWICH
Came Here From the Submarine Base
 At the Navy Yard.

Probably there are some persons who imagine that there is little more doing out of the ordinary at the sub- marine base now than in the recent past, when it was mere naval coaling station, with garrison of four men and under constant liability of being consigned to innocuous and permanent desuetude by the federal government. To such it would be a revelation to visit the premises, privilege which fell to the lot of a newspaper man on Tuesday afternoon.
 Just for instance, the hydro-aero- plane owned by Trubee Davison of New Haven, was being cranked up Davicson and Lieut John Stapler U s. N., the former doing the cranking With a terrific buzz like that of al gigantic mosquito the propeller turned so swiftly that the revolutions be- came invisible.
 Then the hydro-aeroplane darted off on the surface of the Thames at a speed of 40 miles an hour. Proceed ing a short distance it took to the air and rapidly gained it's maximum pace of 62 miles. Opposite the plant of the New London Ship and Engine Co., the machine rose to a height of more than 1000 feet and there made the principal test for which the particular flight was held.
 Submerged in the waters of the har- boI IHiS pol1II was one or the SUD- marines attached to the base. It was the function of those in the hydro aeroplane to see if they could observe the Under-Sea craft beneath the waves, and they were able to do so at this great height. It is said that a airshfp even although the former | be 30 to 40 feet under water. Made Trip to Norwich. Ty1I &r..z turned to the base. where Lieut.. Com | mander Yates Stirling. Jr., took the place of Lieut. Stapler. MT. Davison and Commander Stirling made a flight | to Norwich, then back to the outer | harbor and at dusk returned to the | the hydro-aeroplane. By means of a
 miniature railroad track the plane is run up from the water to it's shelter | on shore. The men who assist in this | work are dressed in rubber clothing
 as they are frequently in the river up to their shoulders.
 But the hydro -aeroplane is only one feature of the activities at the base and it will soon go into retirement for l the winter. There is plenty more to attract attention and interest. A f1o- | tilla of submarines lies in the basin land picked crews are constantly al | work on them. Daily submersions are l made and there is little opportunity | for the boys in blue to get an attack of ennui.
 The tenders Fulton and Tonopah
 are alongside the wharf and remind ! one of floating machine shops more 1 than ships. In fact the whole reser- 1 vation is reminiscent of great in- l dustria1 establishment.
 On shore new buildings with cor rugated iron exteriors are being built l which will be utilized for various me chanical operations. To the north, iT close proximity to the brick barracks the ground has been staked out fol other barracks which will be erected at cost of $54.o00. The work vii be done by the government. Already stone foundations have been laid fol the framework.
 ] Saturday, Dec. 2s P junior lieu.
 tenants and ensigns of the United States navy who have been taking 2
 six months course at the base in the
 oretical and practical submarine worl
 will graduate and will be assigned tt
 active service in the submarine hotilla
 At the opening of the new year anoth.
 CT, class of lieutenants and ensigns vii
 arrive for instruction.