Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-02
DESTR0YERSARE
LARGER THAN
WAS EXPECTED
First Sub Destroyer Built by
Henry Ford is Success
fully Launched

Detroit. Aug. with the launch
ing of Eagle-I, the first of the fleet.
Of submarine destroyers being built
by Henry Ford for the United States
Navy. detailed information concern
ing the construction, purposes and
possibilities of this newest naval
weapon became public for the first
boats were little more than exagger-
lated launches, equipped with light
guns. was dispelled when the vessel.
204 feet long, larger than the old
type of United States ~destroyers; was
dropped into the waters of River
Rouge by a great mechanism operat-
ed by hydraulic pressure. Tabulated
by dates the story of the Eagle is
this:
Decembef 20, 1e17-Henry Ford
offered to build boats for the navy.
December 27-Discussed plans with
Washington officials.
ment awarded Ford Company con
tract for Eagles.
January 1SEWork on design OF
Eagles completed.
January 26-First piece for boat
was completed.
February keel for. first Eagle
was laid.
February Demonstration of the
shipbuilding plant began.
q Hull Of the first Eagle
was completed.
May .10-Work on the construction
plant.
June 15-several boats were as
sembled.
July 11-First completed boat
The Eagles are within thirty feet
OF approximating the length Of the
5,5OO ton wooden ships be-
ing built for the Emergency Fleet
Corporation.
Viewed from above deck, the Eagle
10 much more like a founder than a
mackerel. Its midship cross-section
bears a strong likeness to the lines
OF a canal barge. It's stern is SQUARE
and blunt.-The remainder of the sh.n
Is bullt generally in straight lines and
plane surfaces. The bow, however.
tapers to a knife-like edge, seemingly
enough and strong enough RI.
orally to cut a submarine in two
Except for the high deck house
ana the bridge a little forward amid
snlps, the deck Of the Eagle Is i'm
proken. Utility has been the ri,1ine
consideration, with low cost prodmce
tion SECOND in Importance, and with
oe1uty and comfort only incidentaIs
Eagles are built to pass .easilv
through the Welland Canal and thy
DoatS draught and beam are also
small enough to permit of(the boats,
passing through the New York state
barge canal. The boats will have q
draw OF eight feet when fn,,u
equipped and ready for sea-. a stean,
turbine, tgeared to the propeller SHAFT
on which Is mounted a single thraa
o!ade screw Of rather deep pitch, f,1r-
nlshes the motive: power. Crnia -,
WILDE Used as fuel. The tank cana III
.lty. is easily sufficient for q stea npinn
the Atlantic. ACROSS
There is not a forging Or ro,,aa,
beam in the entire ship. E~yerythina
Is pressed from sheet metal. cold ~,
means of automatic machinerv thoyt
cuts every piece to an exact natfarn
then punches the rivet holes sena
bends every part to IFS rouired shan my
After the launching OF the Az.
Eagle MI. Ford said: II am. Of conrss
delighted at this Initial success. hnt
! knew It would be all right. when
Q have q task like this. en+r,;atea
TO men who know their business -
cant 80 wrong. I left them lnnaE
Y watched all Of the time. 800
There's no snse making nnaca.
sary fuss over a little 7lannchinS
eve, go a lot more back in ths
shops nearly readysto follow Eagle i"