Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-06-16

The aerial coast patrol proposed by
The Aero Club Of America, plan in
trusted to Rear Admiral r E PeaC.
as its originator. 10 develop and carry
10 accomplishment. proposes q new
departure In preparedness for war
never attempted By any nation and
utilization in time q peace Of the
scheme for humanitarian purposes OF
saving the lives OF those who 60 down
to the sea in ships. The cooperation
Of the army and navy and Of the coast
and geodedc survey has been invited
Other government activities. especial
ly the coast guard, which Is expected
to benefit most By the peace utilization
Of the aerial patrol. are also included
In the scope Of desired government CO.
operation.
Rear Admiral Peary has named
number Of members Of committee to
formulate working plans to carry out
the scheme Among them Is Assistant
Secretary Byron r Newton Of the
treasury department. in charge Of the
coast guard. Mr.. Newton is also a
theoretical aefonaut As a newspaper
man he made speciality OF aeronauti-
cal news and was often in a fier. He
Is also a 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 1t. the humanity aspects Of
it are regarded as Of even more vital
importance. For there are those that
predict that the navy some day-when
there cease to be wars and rumors Of
war-will be only an adjunct OF the
coast guard. developed to its highest
capacity as an econoI1iZer OF life and
property, and that the navy in peace
for It that is not entirely making ready
for war. but will have commercial
and utilitarian purpose.
To Divide Coast Into Sections.
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
gulf Of Mexico into sections "of con-
venient length, say about 100 miles
EACH" In each Of these sections would
be established coast defense station,
where would be erected hangar for
housing q seaplane and equipment to
make all minor repairs. Several larger
stations would be established at suit
able intervals. where all more compli-
Gated repairs could be made or a com
plete overhauling given at regular Pc
RODS.
Celebrating the plan, as set forth by
the Aero Club Of America, each hangar
would be the home Of a seaplane. 4
driver and an observer would be at
tached to it. The seaplane would be
equipped with light wireless apparatus.
powerful binocular glasses and a sen.
sitive microphone.
'"fhe partly submerged derelict."
says the Aero Club Of America, too
light to sink and constant menace to
traffic. would be spotted by the aeria.
scout and its presence reported.
Wrecks, vessels in distress and all 9th.
er marine accidents would be reported
and aid quickly summoned when neces.
sary."
But II ever war should arise, In the
opinion Of Rear Admiral Peary. the
first value Of this coast patrol service
would be the prompt report. ready
and equipped for service" from hun
dred or more trained fiers and OBJ
servers from mechanicians and help.
ers organized into a state of military
preparedness"
Duty In Time Of War.
As war duty each Of the seaplanes,
according to the outline Of the plan,
would take position about hfty miles
of shore and patrol its respective
beat, the shore line Of the prescribed
section. continuously back and forth.
In clear weather at height OF 1000
feet above sea level. the observer
would have vision Of fifty miles to
the horizon. At night or in fog the sea-
planes would he compelled to sweep
lower or find landing. At all times
they would be expected to be invisible
to distant enemy.
BY mea.l' If the wireless information
as to character, number and apparent
destination Of approaching ships would
be transmitted to shore stations and
thence to Washington or a government
center. whence if the ships We're hos
tile orders would be issued directing
the movements of defending warships
and the submarine squadrons for the
preparation Of coast defenses and for
the concentration of troops. If neces-
sary reserve seaplanes. hurrying out.
would keep the approaching craft I'M
der continuous observation while them
selves invisible and in communication
with shore.
such system is a new departure
declares Rear Admiral Peary THE
like Of it exists nowhere at present
Yet it involves no new principle. but is
simply the utilization and multiplied
ton Of the known capacities of a sin.
gle seaplane."