The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-09-11
NAVY VA r d
PRES EN- rs A
BUSY SCENE
Various Departments Are
Active and Much Work
Is Being Done.
EXPERT CRAFTSMEN WORKING
On the Field, Frequent Bal
loon Tests Are Attracting
Interest.
By John FL. Anderson.

The aeronautical station is a busy
place these days, and with the new
program of the navy department
promises to exceed even present ac-
Invites. Much construction work Is
being done and with the removal of
debris from the storm every section
of the reservation is busily engaged.
Hangers Interesting.
Interest at present centers in the
three permanent hangers, one of
which is completed, another nearly
finished, and the third well over half
finished. Between the three and
around the outside is a concrete court,
built several feet above the level of
the beach. To do this it was neces-
sary to construct concrete bulkhead,
which acts as breakwater. The
floors of the hangers are of concrete
also, and runways for the pontoons
of the hydroaeroplanes are provided
for launching purposes. The han
gars are constructed entirely of steel
and sheet metal, with practically the
entire sides of glass windows.
Shops Busy.
The shops present parallel of ac-
tivity. Several machines are being
rebuilt, and others just received from
the factory, assembled. These are
frequently being tested, and the many
adjustments require the attention Of
skilled corps of mechanics. Aside
from the assembling and rebuilding
the machines in operation are in con.
slant need of adjustment which must
be done before they are taken fol
flight.
Drafting Room.
Not the least busy place on the re.
servation is found in the administra
ton building where the direction Of
the whole vast work Is done. Her,
also is an important branch of th'
service, the drafting room, which hal
recently been enlarged to care for TIT
building program for the station
Here expert craftsmen prepare mod
els of machines to be constructed a
the station.
In the slip, the floating hangar fo,
the dirigible is nearing completion
Many men are at work on the hug
structure, covering the steel frame
work with surrugated metal. AS i
the case with the aeroplane hangers
it also has many windows, while on
end is entirely open, covered only b.
a draw curtain of canvas. The othe
end, is rounded, as the aspe of
church, and is rigidly constructed.
Tests Are Frequent.
On the aviation field, frequen
tests are made with the balloons o
which there are two 'tfree" and on
'kite" at the station. This is a com
paratively new branch of the schoo
work, but is expected to be largel
developed in the future. With tn
arrival of the big dirigible this wor
will receive great impetus, and
Expected to go far toward the per
fecting of this type of craft.
Move Houses To Make Room.
Attesting the growth of the schoo
is the removal of the houses of War
rington and Woolsey, making roor
flor the erection of more hangar.
This work is being carried on rapid
lily, and many of the residents are iy
ing in their homes which have bee
transported to other Localities.
Aside from the regular school wor
at the station, is the routine employ
ment of numbers of men. In the pow
er houses, garages, roads, and quar-
tiers countless men are engage
daily. lending their bit to the develop
ment of Uncle Sans eagle squadro
This is the actual work, but it
expected to be multiplied many tim,
when construction work is con
menced. Thirty machines were r
Gently ordered by the department,
be sent to the station, and indie
!! tions are that the station will exec,
the activities of the navy yard in j