Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-03-14
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TAKES STEPS TO
GUARD THE COAST
Sixteen Dirigible Airships to Co.
Operate Watching Over Cities
and Harbors.
100 new .U-B0AT CHAsERs
Secretary Daniels Announces That
Bids for Six Scout Cruisers Of the
35.knot Type, Designed Last
Year, viii Be Opened at Once.

| Washington, March 14.-Navy de
partment officers, preparing for the
defense Of the nation in case OF war
took these steps:
/. Purchased 16 nOnrigid dirigible
airships for coast and harbor patrol
work. Cost, $649. $50.
2. Took steps toward contracting for
the quick construction OF 100 or more
high-speed coast patrol boats Of new
type for scouting against submarines.
Builders said that these could be de-
livered within four months.
3. Obtained information to be used
If the government decides to take con-
troll of shipyards in time OF war.
4. Treated with Chicago and great
lake shipyards for the building of large
wooden vessels 10 feet long, propelled
by powerful steam engines.
Larger Than "Chasers."
Details of their armament and equip
ment are now being worked out, but
probably will not be made public. They
will be more seaworthy and have q
much larger cruising radius than the
standard submarine chaser" an s.
foot gasoline motorboat.
Some of the companies represented
IN the conference have turned out
large numbers of "chasers" for the
British government. They will have
to make changes in their plants in or
der to build the larger boats wanted
by the American government.
Representatives of the major ship
builders also appeared at the, depart
ment during the day, bringing data
concerning their corporations and
plants, for which Secretary Daniels
recently asked
For Guidance IL Crisis.
The information is for use in de
termining the allotment Of new con-
and also is desired for the
guidance of the government in the
event it becomes necessary to exer-
else the authority granted by congress
for Communicating private establish
ments.
bids for six scout cruisers of the So
knot type, designed last year, would
be opened Wednesday,. Contracts for
battle cruisers will be, awarded soon
on the basis Of cost and 10 per cent
profit already agreed on with the build
ers. syIa
ChiEago and great lakes shipping
concerns have been approached ~ tfe,t
Shipping board with arguments in ia
vor Of constructions lat these yards Of
large wooden yesseisaforE the coastwise
and Panama canal trade. q
Mobilization Of the EompfAte fight
ing strength Of the navy has been
recommended by naval, officials. The
approval Of President Wilson Is re-
luired before orders can be sent call
ng our the reserves. assembling ,tbsI
naval militia and releasing all active
,fficers now on shore duty for sea
service.
Patrol Dirigibles Bought.
Purchase Of 16 nonrigid dirigible air.
hips for coast and harbor patrol work
it total cost Of $649.25O was an
bounced today by the navy depart
nent.
The airships are first Of such type
o be bought by the navy under the
ecent $5,OOO,OOO appropriation for
erOnautics.
They will be 100 feet in length, 311a
eet in diameter or so feet high over
IL; will be equipped with radio COM
and 100 horse power mo-
ors capable of making continuous
light Of 16 hours at 35 miles each and
maximum speed of As miles an hour
or ten hours. al
Under the designs drafted by naval
INSTRUCTORS the dirigibles will be able
. operate from shore bases and alight
n water surface in good weather.
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