The Washington herald., 1918-04-07

rgent deficiency
Dill ........... 66,32l, ,6T2.OO
Naval appropriation
bill ............ 1897, ,sOO, ,oOO. 90
In the pending ur-
gent deficiency ap-
preparation bill.
authority is con-
tained to incur
obligations to the
extent of ... 34.264. 100000
Total appropria-
tions,, real and
penang ........ 4,5SS,oVo,05l.iV U
The total expenditures of the navy
from the date of its establishment in
1874 to 1916. inclusive. were $S.367 .160,-
SILT. only about $s4,OOO.OOO in excess
of the appropriations. real and pend
ing. since August %. 1916.
The activities OF the navy during the
war year just ended are summarized
in the following authorized department
tai statements, in so far as such in
formation may at this time be pub
Iished without revealing military sec
rets of value to the enemy:
Bureau of steam Engineering.
The task presented by the first year
of war to the Bureau of Steam Engi-
neering involved not only keeping ships
in motion, but providing nearly all OF
the accessories connected with getting
them underway and keeping them in
efficient condition, as well as for many
of these activities which add to the
comfort and the health of the crew.
fWnuN fha LVNrA -,
sible for an abundant supply of fresh
water. which in a battleship is equiv
alent to the requirements of a good
sized village. 1t provides machines for
the manufacture of ice and for cool
ing refrigerating rooms, so that a sup
ply of fresh meat may be available.
1t provides power for the electric
lighting of a ship and for search
lights. and electric power for hun
dreds of purposes, embracing activities
ranging from operating turrets to
turning ice cream freezers. 1t heats
a ship by steam and through the in
termediary of electric heaters and sup
plies steam and electric power for
cooking. 1t provides portable electric
fans for ventilating spaces not sufi-
GENTLY served by the main system of
the ship, and all kinds of electrical
communication, including a complete
telephone service. 1t is responsible
for the sanitary service of the ship.
1t supplies the machinery, whether
steam or gasoline, for the small
boats used for transportation be-
tween the ship and shore In order
that ships may be able to do a
great part of their own repairs, It
Cilities suited to the particular ship,
and in order to provide for repairs
beyond the capacity of individual
ships, 1t equips special repair ships,
capable of executing work of large
proportions.
Naval Operations.
On March IL it was announced
that American merchantmen would
be armed for protection against
submarine attacks. Hundreds of
guns of the proper calibers were
required, and these had to be taken
from the fleet, to be replaced as
soon as possible. Our naval gun
crews were serving on merchant
ships in the war zone before war
was declared; and the first enlisted
man lost in service was John
Espolucci, OF Washington, d. c.,
who was killed when the Aztec was
sunk on April 1.
The first officer lost, Lieut.. Clar-
ence c. Thomas, of California, per-
ished after the sinking of the
Vacuum, on April 2S. Every Ameri-
can merchantmen which applied has
been armed, and the gallantry and
efficiency Of these armed guards in
their numerous encounters with at
taclling submarines has upheld the
best traditions of the navy.
When active hostilities seemed
inevitable, Admiral William s. Sims
was sent abroad to get in touch
with the British and French ad-
miralties and was later promoted
to vice admiral and made COM
mander of the United States naval
rorces operating in European
waters
When the existence of a state Of
war was declared, April s. the fleet
was ready and was mobilized with
out an hours delay. warships that
mad been in reserve were fully
manned and commissioned, and
every available vessel was put into
service Large stores of munitions
and supplies and parts for replace
ment of machinery and repairs had
been accumulated. Repair ships
were equipped and ready 10 sail. A
flotilla of destroyers was quickly
organized and equipped for foreign
service. sailing in ADriL the, first