The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-12-12
NAVAL AIR STATION
WORK AND SIGHT SEEING KEEPS
MAcHINiST'S MATE BUSY


Great lakes our company was drawn
up on the mat, one at a time, to
answer the quiz which determined our
rating. | was rated machinist's mate,
second class, and recommended for
first. My lack of factory experience
stood against me, but when we were
drafted out to go to Philadelphia, by
some good fortune was one of the ten
men chosen to go to the Wright
Marten factory at New Brunswick, N.
J. to learn the assembly of the Hes
| pana-Sariga motor, which is put out
by those people. We were in New
Brunswick about a week, and we did
nothing but go through the factory,
| seeing the motor finished up. from
raw material to the time of testing
out and packing for shipment for over
| seas. Then we were ordered to report
for duty at the naval air station here
in Washington, d. c. to work in the
hangers-which is the real stuff l en-
listed for.
Our trip from Great Lakes to Phila-
delphia was ID Ill htful. land 10 me il
was well worth The time have spent
in selvice TIE h!leghanies an the
Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are
picturesque, and there are beautiful
scenes along the Cumberland. We saw
the monument on the spot where John
Brown surrendered at Harper Ferry.
| visited the Independence Hall at
Philadelphia. Since arriving in Wash
ington haven't been idle during days
and nights of liberty, but have been on
the go all the time, seeing tn sights
and visiting historical buildings. l ate
lunch one day on the capital steps,
and it tasted pretty good considering
where | was.:r- -
The air station is located on the Po-
tomac River, at the mouth of the Ana
costa River. It's beautiful SPOT, with
hills and trees at our back, ard the
river with its boats going and coming
at all hours. The river at this point
has a five foot raise of tide every
day.
Our work consists of getting motors
and planes in shape for flying and
keeping them in the best order. We
have twelve planes of the F type, G.
S. 2's, R. 9's and 6's. have assisted
in assembling two planes of the H. S.
2 type, which are used for bombing
There are about sixty officers here,
and with each taking a flight or so a
day, it keeps the thirty machinists
mates mighty busy launching and
docking the planes, keeping them fill
ed with gas and oil, and inspecting
them after each flight.
This station is rapidly developing
INTO a mail station. During the past
week there have been two or three
regular mail planes from Hampton
Roads and points south of here.
Dropping from planes in parachutes
seems to be a great sport here. Every
one seems interested IN it, and many
such descents are made. took a spin
through space the first week | was
here. We went up 1900 feet Ny only
regret was that we were not up long
enough. enjoyed it. and am only
waiting my turn and chance to take
another.
Last week | was put to work on the
shippers speed boat. 1t has twelve
cylinder motor, and was built for speed
and not for power. | had a good job
cleaning it up. Now | am stationed on
it regular and my hardest job is
keeping from being ducked as we
speed along.
| hear that my old company fellows
have arrived in France and are 10
Gated near Brest and Pauillac. Will
get my exams for the next step higher
some time next week. Hope my good
luck sticks with me.
Just finished my Thanksgiving din.
ner, and sure enjoyed it. Only wish
I could have eaten with some of the
one and a half pounds of turkey. The
puddings, dressing. fruits, salads and
soups couldn't have been better. | GER
tainly compliment the cooks and
stewards on their ability, AMI their
choice of eats.
There is to be an exhibition flight
from our base and the army base
WHICH is southwest of our hangers. Be
tween the two, one can see at all
hours, many planes like fiocks of birds.
We have beds here instead Of ham
mocks. and real mattresses TO sleep on.
We were issued pillows and pillow.
slips since arriving here and that
means more elbow grease to keep
them clean.
1t will probably be some time be-
fore we will be mustered out of ser
vice. Best regards to all the fellows.
L HERMAN SONDEREGGER,
! u. S. Naval Air Station, Anacostia,
y Washington, ID. C..