Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-01-14
NAVY READY
CONTINUED from Pana Qnel

Continued from Page one)
Italy. Many merchantmen of the al
lies in addition to virtually all the
American merchant marine fleet have
been armed to fight submarines
Inquiry revealed the fact says the
statement, that practically all letters
are answered on the day of their re-
receipt. BY system of progress re-
ports and follow-up methods provision
exists TO insure the actual delivery OF
material. The signing up of a contract
marks but the beginning of action: the
follow-up and thorough inspection sys-
TENS and the policy Of full cooperation
with the manufacturer insure prompt
delivery.
Expenditures have increased from
about 100000 to about $3.50 0o0.oo0.
Despite the pressure placed upon the
bureau by the demands for more ordnance
material Of standard types, it has been
able to develop much new material. in
cluding large depth charges, new subma
rine bombs, non-ricochet shells, bomb
dropping sights, howi,zers, guns for
throwing depth charges, smoke screen
apparatus, heavy ordnance on aircraft
and many other important designs which
we feel it unwise to disclose, and made
much progress on essential articles oe
lesser importance.
The committee is confident that the
navy's needs for ordnance during this
war are fully covered by existing con-
tracts and with the capacity now under
it's control.
Reserves of ammunition and shells
have acquired and money placed at the
disposal Of the bureau we find has been
spent wisely.
Long Preparing for War
THE bureau had for years been prepar-
ing for war Guns, mounts, shells, pow
der and ordnance equipment in large
quantities had been manufactured and
held in readiness for eventual use With
the declaration of armed neutrality guns
and ammunition were promptly placed on
the merchant ships of the United States.
Upon the declaration of war kilograms
long held in readiness were put on the
wire and the wheels were in motion
without a jar the machinery took up the
load placed upon it. There has been no
breakdown, no letup-on the contrary,
there has been increasing speed and
greater momentum. Anticipating the
needs of the naval service and marine
corps for additional machine guns. the
bureau wisely conducted test of the
Lewis machine gun early in April, 1917
with a view to definitely determining its
serviceability with using the United States
small arms ammunition, and as a result
,,1o nr,ln fn~ !, ,foc -
several thousands Of these guns. Recent
reports from the war zone indicate that
the gun Is giving entire satisfaction.
Terror of Submarines"
Depth charges which the commit
| tee thinks may be termed the terror
of the submarine. have been produced
in quantity and are in use by our de
stroyers and submarine chasers.
The committee made special inquiry
as to the damage done to torpedoes
at the Bliss Works. 1t aScertained that
no torpedoes or damaged parts had
found their way into service; that
! spare parts for torpedoes, such as
! gyro-wheels, had been tampered with.
but this was promptly detected by the
naval inspector of ordnance and a close
watch was maintained upon these ar
ticles with the result that the perpe-
| trater of the damage, one Paul Charles
Henning, a native of Leipsig Germany,
who had been in this country since
1908, has been arrested and is now
awaiting trial.
The committee was supplied with
full information of how many attacks
of submarines upon armed merchant
men had been warded off by the ships
gun crews using the battery with brav-
cry and skill and was given the de
tails of certain engagements OF spe-
cial interest The record of attacks on
our armed merchantmen shows a
! comparatively small percentage were
successful and that the chances of es-
cape when a submarine is sighted be-
fore she has time to fire torpedo are
very high, due to the efficiency of the
navy personnel. The unseen torpedo
is responsible for so per cent of the
sinkings."
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