The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1918-01-15
WHOLE FLEET
OF MERCHANT
ships READY
FOR U=BOAIs
Investigating Committee Of
House Completely Satisfied
With Work Done BY Ordnance
Department OF Navy
ARMS AND MUNITIONS a. =
ALSO FURNISHED ALLIES
High Praise Is Given To Etticien-
cy Shown and Speed Exer-
cised BY Those Entrusted With
Meeting Submarine Peril


WyASHINGTON, January IA
w - ASSOCIATED Press) -
Complete satisfaction with the
ordnance department of the navy
and high praise OF the work done
in the equipment OF merchant
vessels to meet the attacks Of
German submarines is expressed
by Representative William p.
Oliver, chairman Of the house ma
val committee which has inyesti-
gated naval affairs and the prog
ress made in war preparations
and for the defense. 1s..@.
WHOLE FLEET ARMED
In his statement issued .yester-
day Representative Oliver says
that more than 100 merchant
vessels have been equipped with
guns and furnished with ammu-
milton since March IA last. Many
merchantmen of the Allied ma
tions have been armed and equip
ped in addition to virtually the
whole of the merchant feet Of the
United States which is engaged
IN Atlantic Ocean traffic. They
were made ready tos6ght any sub
Z marines. whichrthey may encoun-
ter.
In reference to methods to be EN-.
ployed for meeting attacks Of subna-
rines reference is made to the report
of Rear-Admiral Ralph Earl, embod-
fed in the annual report Of the navy
department which said: 80 :
t'The most efficient weapons against
submerged vessels appears, from, all re.
ports, TO be the depth charge.
a large supply of small depths
charges was available imme-
diately after the entrance of the
United States into the war. The de.
Sign and construction of larger type
Of depth charge has been undertaken
and deliveries are being made In ad-
dition TO the depth charges, the bureau
hos developed and procured a supply
of number Of weapons specially de-
vised for nti-submarihe use, the de-
tails of which ii is considered should
best be- kept confidential. There may
be mentioned, however, anti submarine
aircraft bombs, non-ricOcheting shell, a
heavy projectile howitzer, and smoke
apparatus. ( t.,
Smoke Screens Available.
IA supply of smoke apparatus suf-
( nfient for all vessels operating with
armed guards has been procured. A
Standard design has been approved and
has been opened for general purchase
from the contractors by merchant YES
sells, rs the bureau holds that its cog
nizance in this connection extends only
to vessels carrying armed guards. This
standard type of apparatus has been
Recommended by the Shipping Board
and BY the Department Of Commerce
There have been a number of i'm
portant new developments in ammuni-
ton during the year, but these are of
q CONFIDENTIAL nature and cannot be dis
cussed In public report. The bureau
is keeping in close touch with all new
Developments abroad and at home
which may tend to increase the ell
cheney of our ammunition.
Great Britain Advises.
An officer Of the British Royal Ma
val Reserve, assigned by the British
Admiralty to duty in the Ordnance
Bureau, has been of great assistance in
adapting the lessons learned by three
years OF actual sea work with mines
10 the ones now under construction in
this country. The mine force Of the
feet has carried out mine laying exer,
eises and experimental trials with diff
ferent notifications and under differ
ent Conditions Of the standard mines.
From these trials and from informa-
, lion Heeiyed from abroad, several
notifications in the design of the mine
lavef Deem made leading to increased
efficiency thereof. -
WThe fire control work and develop.
& Inents have progressed rapidly during
the past year along lines shown to be
neeeFsaiy from the experience Of our
hIIies III the present war. Advantage
has been taken Of every opportunity
10 obtain detailed information of the
IRE control work aud developments of
bll nhvies Due consideration has been
Hixen this and no expense has been
spared TO obtain the highest type Of
( fire control instruments for our navy"
Z -. . q a