New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-14
Useless Submarine Chasers
Blu 4. Fredericks

their way when the war began in April, or
even before the war began for this country
many Of these boats would have been built
and they would have been ready by this
time for service where they are mostly
wanted, in European waters.
In the meantime a great many yachts and
small commercial vessels, such as trawlers
tugs and fishermen, have been taken over by
the Navy Department and converted into
patrol boats. Some Of these vessels are
we'll suited for the purpose, but the ma
jcrity Of them are Of little use and have not
sufficient speed to enable them to get away
from a submarine while submerged, and they
would be easy marks for submarines on the
surface.
Some Of these boats have been purchased
and many have been lent TO the government
for the nominal charge Of 81, and the gov
eminent has betrayed the cost OF fitting
them for patrol work. Now il has been an
nounced that the government will buy no
more Of these boats unless they are fast,
strong and well suited for ohshore work,
but the government is still willing TO accept
certain ones for 81 each. The larger boats
are all to be sent 70 foreign waters, and by
little juggery those men who enrolled in
the fourth class Of the Naval Reserve have
been induced to waive their rights and go
abroad, too.
Volunteers for What?
The naval act Of last year provided for
six classes in the Naval Reserve. The fourth
class is called the Coast Defence Reserve,
and men were invited to enroll in this class,
So "a rank and IN
on coast patrol vessels that we're to be kept
in the district in which they were enrolled
Class H is the merchant marine class. To
be an officer in this class il is necessary to
have served at least two years as oticer on
board an ocesn-going or iake-going vessel.
To be admitted in this class in any rating
other than an officer it ia necessary to have
served on board these vessels in capacity
such as quartermaster, seaman, etc When II
was decided to send some Of the larger
yachts abroad men enrolled In Class A were
asked to volunteer for foreign duty, and
SO many did that the full complement OF
men to handle these boats was obtained.
Now there is talk of disbsnding the fourth
class and turning all the men enrolled in ii
into the regular navy to FL vacancies on any
vessel. In the meantime efforts are being
made every day to get the fourth class men
to volunteer. These men will be put on
some patrol boat and at some time will be
called on deck. An officer will appeal to
their patriotism and ask for volunteers for
foreign service. Perhaps one or two will
volunteer, and this will set an example
which others will quickly follow, because a
man. does not care TO be accused Of being a
Stacker or of having yellow streak. There
have, however, been many who have de-
clined to volunteer because in their opinion
the government is taking an unfair advan-
tage of their position. When the war
started strong appeals we're made for volun-
teers in the coast defence, and it was pointed
out that unless a fleet of several thousand
boats and men enough to handle them was
obtained at once the coast towns would fall
an easy prey to the German submarines and
raiders. The men in the reserve volunteered
at once, and they should be kept at the ser
v9e for which they volunteered.