Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-03
THE EAGLES
Which Will Help Navy
DESTROY U-BOats

Detroit, Aug. with :he launching
of Eagle-l, the first of the fleet of sub
marine destroyers being built by Henry
Ford for the United States Navy, de
tailed information concerning the con
Struction, purposes and possibilities Of
this newest naval weapon became pub
lie for the first time. The general be-
lief that the boats were little more than
exaggerated launches. equipped with
light guns was dispe!led when the yes
sci. 2C4 feet long, larger than the OLD
type Of United States destroyers, was
dropped into the waters of River Rouge
by great mechanism operated by by
draulic pressure. Tabulated by dates
the story Of the Eagle is this:
December % 1917-Hcnry Ford offered
to build boats for the navy.
December N-Discussed plans VITA
Warrington officials
January p, l9lS-Navy department
Eagles.
January 1sWork on design of Eagles
completed.
January 26-First piece for boat was
completed
February Keel for first Eagle was
laid
February DEMONSTRATION of the ship
building plant began
March Hull of the first Eagle was
May 10-Work on the construction Of
Eagles was begun in shipbuilding plant
June i5-Several boats were assembled
July I-Flrst completed boat launched
The Eagles are within go feet of ap-
proximating the length of the standard
300 ton wooden ships beng built for the
Emergency Fleet Corporation. Niewen
from above deck, the Eagle is much
more like a founder than a macke~el.
It's midship cross-section bears a strong
likeness to the lines of canal barge
It's stern is square and blunt. The re-
nalnder of the ship is built generally
IN straight lines and plane surfaces
Inc bow. however. tapers to a knife
like edge. seemingly sharp enough and
strong enough literally to cut a sub
marine in two
Except for the high deck house and
the bridge little forward amidships
the deck of the Eagle is unbroken.
CulitE has been the ruling considera-
ton, with low cost production second
IN Importance. and with beauty ana
comfort only incdentals,
The Eagles are built n nass oo.i,
through the WellaEd Canal ana n.
boats draught and beam are also small
enough to permit of the boats nassino
through the New York state barpa O.
nal The boats will have a draw -
eight feet when fully equipped ana
ready Tor sea. A steam turbine pa.ral1
70 the propeller shaft on which i
mounted single three blade screu. oe
ra'her deep pitch, furnishes the motive
power. Crude oil will be used as fra,
Inc tank capacity is easily sufficient for
steaming radius equal 70 the dist.rca
across the Atlantic
There is not a forging or ro,,oa 49,
n me entire ship. Everything Is n,e.sad
rom sheet metal. cold. by ne,rs =
automatic machinery that cuts eyerr
p'ece % an exact pattern. then n,,ncbo.
we rlVet holes and bends ever,, 49,
us required shape ~
AFTER the launching Of TIE fret Eo
Mi. ford said: II am, Of course q
e"'ea at thil initial success ~.
NHe" IL would be all right wben a.,
.e TASK like this, entrusted 70 ~.
VINO know their business. il can,. "en
"!ohE' left them alona-h,t
al Of the time. "''ched
lhere's no use making rr,o
: - ''er little launching. We've 90.
- more back in the shons noas,,
ready TO follow Eagle-1, carry I