The Washington herald., 1917-06-02
Army and Navy News
Best Service Column On city,

That the nonrlgid dirigibis oallons
TOT the United States navy will be turned
out at the rate OF one a week from now
on was announced by Secretary Daniels,
Following the successful flight OF the FIRST
one from Chicago to Akron, Ohio, this
week The Navy Department announced
that each one Of these machines will
make a speed OF at least forty miles an
hour. While no attempt was made to
establish q record on the trial flight OF
the first machine turned out in the Unit
ed states, the trip Of 100 miles was made
IN sixteen hours
AS this was merely an experimental
flight and not an ofHcial test no at
tempt was made to attain high speed"
says the Navy Departments statement.
This II a new type Of airship designed
by the Navy Department and IL on the
order OF the 'blimps," the nonrigid
dirigibles which England has been using
pared by Naval Constructor J. c. Hun
saker. Of the Bureau Of Construction and
Repair. under the direction OF Admiral
Taylor. chies OF the bureau
Sixteen were contracted for two months
ago. II Il expected that hereafter they
will be completed at the rate OF one
week and that all VIII be delivered be-
fore August.
The American ''blimps'' viii form
part OF the coast patrol and will be dis
trtbuted along the coast as lookoutE to
watch for the approach Of enemy vessels.
The English have found this tye very
effective IN detecting submarines.
The men who will operate them are
now in training at the station at Pensa-
cola, Fla, where the dirigibIe D. Nj.
Of an older type. which was recently de-
hvered to the government, and aircraft
OF other tvpes are being used in the
training. As fast as the new dirigibles
are delivered, after lss3rough Official
tests, and the crews are familiar with
their operation. they will be sent to
the stations selected.
The first Of the "blimps" probably will
be delivered 70 the government within
two weeks, during which oficial tests
viii be made. Within the next two
months It is expected that a number Of
them will be in service.
An expenditure Of S7.g5OOo for sub
marine and aviation sites on the Pacific
coast is recommended in a report made
public by Josephus Daniels, Secretary OF
the Navy. who Is head Of the commits
sion on navy yards and navy stations.
The board recommends that San Diego
be made the main training station for
aviation on the Pacific coast and that
North Island. in San Diego Bay, be ac-
quired for that purpose-by conde-nna-
ton II necessary. For development Il
proposes the expenditure OF 10000 It
recommends the expenditure Of tS-5,nOO
for the development Of an operating sub
marine base at San Diego on the existing
naval reservation.
The other recommendations are az fol-
lows:
The acceptance Of a tract Of submerged
land in Los Angeles harbor offered by
the city, and t2.5OO.0OO for development Of
2 submarine base and $50 000 for an
aviation operation base
The expenditure Of $490,00O for the de-
velopment OF a submarine base and SS4n.-
oo for an aviation station at Mare
Island
The appropriation Of s1.42s,OoO for
submarine base and s375. 900 for an avfa-
ton station at Puget Sound.
The appropriation Of 10000 for a sub
marine base and aviation operating base
on Ediz Hook, opposite Port Angeles,
Wash. For a submarine and aviation
base near the mouth Of the Columbia
River. 81, 10000