The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-10
PLAN TO LIST
BRIDCEP0R''T'S
MOTOR BOATS
Park City Vessels Will Be
Placed at Disposal of
Government.

A census of motorboats and motor
boat owners in Bridgeport will be
ken by the state for the purpose Of
ascertaining the strength of the coast
defense fleet of smaller boats that
may be offered to the government in
the event of national emergency.
The census will be made by Director
Charles A. Goodwin of the state Gems
sus committee who will appoint a
special committee in Bridgeport for
the purpose in accordance with re-
quests from Washington.
Bridgeport through the Waterways
League Of Connecticut has already
made preparation to place a fleet OF
motor boats at the service of the
government and will readily join
hands with the state in it's census
said Frank x. Mills. commodore Of
the Park City Yacht club, when asked
the attitude of Bridgeport motor boat
owners today.
For the purpose Of forming a squad
ron for the defense Of the Connect
cut coast and patrolling Long Island
Sound, Mr.. Mills assured The Farmer
that nearly every owner Of motor
boat in this vicinity will gladly give
his service to the state and the ma
ton.
Many Of the owners of both small
and large craft are more familiar
with the photographic conditions than
the masters Of the larger commercial
vessels plying Long Island Sound
waters for the reason that they more
closely hug the shores and make
river entrances and inlets with
greater frequency.
In the event Of enemy attack upon
harbor shipping, the foundations Of
bridges or the underpinning of PIERS
protection could be given by motor
boat approach. AS a mosquito fleet
to prevent Spying in the harbors or
the transportation of arms and am
munition to belligerent vesselsy the
motor boat will take first rank in the
defensive system to be established by
the government.
Bridgeport will produce about 800
boats Of all classes from it's yacht
clubs. OF this number the Park City
will be able to furnish between 40
and so power boats, with 10 or Il
above the 40 foot class, suitable for
coastwise patrol in deep water.
in this city that Bridgeport can sup
ply about SO Of the cabin cruiser type
Of motorboat ranging in speed from
six to Is miles an hour, with ac-
commodation Of from six to 20 per-
sons. This class of boat is suitable
for mounting the smaller caliber guns
with a range Of over one mile and
firing an explosive projectile disas-
trous to larger boats than that upon
which the gun is mounted.
It is believed that Bridgeport will
also be able to place at the disposal
Of the government and state in time
Of emergency and under examination
more than 100 pilots for Sound and
New England coast navigation. It
was learned at the custom house to-
day that few Of the motorboat owners
of Bridgeport carried masters certifi-
Gates, the present federal requireme nts
being such that no certificate is re-
quired except for vessels Of more
than Is tons burden.
With the oyster boat fleets located
in Bridgeport harbor many vessels of
which are commanded by masters
under special pilots licenses for spe-
cific courses land a host Of yachts
men capable Of taking examinations
for coast pilot certificates it is esti-
mated that nearly $50 licensed oper-
ators Of vessels could belput into the
country's service from Bridgeport at
short notice.
Much enthusiasm reigns in the
yacht clubs today as result Of the
intimation that motorboats may be
called into requisition by the country
In wartime.