The Washington herald., 1916-11-04
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
hest service Column On city.

Practical assurance that the Philadel-
pha Navy Yard would be gwen orders to
build battle cruisers has been voiced by
high naval officials In considering the ex-
,penditure OF 100000 on League Island
Immediately, so that when bids are OPEN
ed on December for the building OF bat
tieshlps' work can be started without de-
lay.
Admiral Benson, chief of operations,
and Admiral Taylor, chief of construc-
tion' both hold the opinion that 1t would
De advisable to equip the Philadelphia
yard at once for the big work that must
soon be transferred from private to gov
eminent plants. as indications so far
point To the reluctance OF private yards
to enter bids
Representative william s. Ware held a
conference recently with Admiral Ben
son IN regard to the construction of the
ways at League Island for building bat
ueships and said after the talk that the
Philadelphia yard would be the biggest
in the United States.
There Is also under consideration the
proposition of spending all of the 5000
OOo available on the Philadelphia Navy
yard. Instead of spending only s., 00O, 900
at Philadelphia.
The frigate constitution, relic of the
early days of the United States Navy, is
going into dry dock for the first time in
nearly three-score years, according to
arrangements announced at the Charles
town Navy Yard. In the last naval bill
an appropriation was made for repairing
the ship. and as a new bottom is neces-
sary, she will have to go into dry dock.
Word has reached the Navy Depart
ment OF the death in Brooklyn on
Wednesday of Capt. Howard Patterson,
navigator and founder OF the New York
Nautical College. While connected with
the college he was the author of Illus
trated Nautical Encyclopaedia" Common
Sense Navigation" Yacht Etiquette,
Yacht Sails and How to Handle Them" "
''Yachtsman's Hedge Anchor and a
handbook for masters and mates. From
1889 to 1880 he served under the Haitian
government as admiral Of its navy.
The Coast Guard has made the follow
ing announcements:
Keeper Charles Jacobsen, Station No.
3o7. retired on request after thirty years
service.
Surfnan George J. Caffrey, Station No.
Y. retired on request after thirty years
service.
First I/'ut of Engineers William c.
Myers. retired. died at Philadelphia
Second Lieut.. of Engineers n. b. Hall
detached from duty as student aviator
to duty at works OF Curtiss Aeroplane
and Motor Manufacturing Company
Hammondsport, n. Y.
First Lieut.. OF Engineers c. NJ. Green
detached. Algonquin to Itasca.
Seaman Hans Thompson. of the Man.
haitian. and Seaman John Anderson. OF
the Wissahickon. have been rated wheels
men.
Interest has been aroused in naval
circles over the announcement that the
government is about ready to take over
all merchant vessels desired for auxili-
aries in case OF war.
Blank contracts are being drawn up
by the Navy Department. The price will
depend on trade conditions at the time
of the possible selection.
Naval officers who will command the
ships in case OF war already have been
selected. Plans of the Navy Department
show the type of gun which could be
mounted on each vessel.
The vessels would be used to carry
troops, fuel and general supplies in most
cases. They would not be armored and
would be armed only for self-protection.