The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-22

nOn u HeI
tourists. Since
this aviation
which had
Honed, has be-
th activity and
bral repair and
bn the reserva-
LII rs being done.
divided for less
Ill. so that, judging
liz lady been accom-
rt period of time,
ILL.,, b foretell what
ILL., kments and devel-
H. department of our
H. itnessed in Pensa
les Are There
Aeronautic Base and
It Pensacola, under
of Capt Mark Bris-
ant Commander II. c.
hre at present twenty
machines, of various
lanufacture. This in
Wright machine, which
only last Saturday, but
y being successfully OPP
addition to these, TWEEN
machines are now I'M
IL construction. by outside
and one is being built at
tgton navy yard. The
4he MACHINES now in use
a CONSTRUCTED are: curtiss,
. Thomas, Gallaudet and
,aff. One flee balloon and one
H. "riare t9fbe delivered April |.
are,at present about one
TN md oAcers and men stationed
at the navy yard and the monthly
payroll is, in round numbers $780,
900 per month. This includes the
officers and men of the North Caro-
lima and the men working in the
shops, as we'll as those who actually
make the flights. Work is going on
every day and a number of flights
are made each day that the weather
will permit
Sea Scouting Drills.
A division of torpedo boats is here
and all of the aviators are being
drilled in sea scouting, which is one
OF the most difficult of the duties of
aviators. Several hours each day
are devoted to these drills, under the
supervision of trained experts and
efficiency of the Navy is being ma
terially added to.
By the first of April when the
dirigible machine is to be delivered,
the floating shed, now being con-
structed at cost of $4,000, will be
completed and ready for use. The
hydrogen plant, to furnish gas for
the balloon and dirigible, is also
nearing completion and will be ready
for operation in ample time. This
represents an expenditure of $40,-
600 more. Other improvements to
the amount of $4,000 are now be-
ing made. Some of the things for
which this sum is being spent are {:
the construction of permanent hang
ers and piers for the launching and
landing of aeroplaes, improving and
building bulkheads and grading in
the southern part of the yard, the
putting down Of concrete walks and
other waterfront improvements.
Another important piece of work
which is now being done is the re-
designing of the catapult of the
North Carolina, This catapult has
already been enlarged and improved
since the November test and better
facilities for launching aeroplanes
from this vessel are now being ar
ranged. This work is progressin 2
anu the
North Carolina will be ready and
fully equipped for aeroplane work
by March l. The heavy construction
part of this work is being done in
the New York navy yard, but the de-
signing was done here and the work
of assembling will also be done al
the Pensacola station.
Other Ships Coming
II is probable that when this work
is completed the North Carolina will
join the fleet and that her sister
ships will be sent here to be SINH.
larly equipped. 1t is possible that
all three of her sister ships ma,
come TO Pensacola for this purpos,
at the same time, but this has no
been officially stated.
All necessary repair work car
now be done at the Pensacola Train
ing School and a force of civilian
is now at work in the shops. 1t i
authoritively stated that in a shor
time this station will be in position
to manufacture air machines IL or
dered to do so by the government.