Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-06
Force of 1000 Men Keeps
Constant Vigil in Air
and Water
IT'S EFFICIENCY PROVED
"Sub" Chasers, Patrol Boats
and Hydroplanes Safeguard
Important Section

May! IL is nying hlgh, ana ike plTu
Of the air is headed for It's nest.
At nrst II is a mere speck that stands
out against pale blue sky, but quickly
II approaches, and in the brief moments
that the landsman gazes aloft in Won
derment at this romantic device OF mod
ern warfare 1t has reached the mouth
OF the river where flock OF Sub"
chasers and patrol boats is taking
well-earned rest
Then the navy airman, seemingly TO
take fatherly peek at his sailormen
below. circles the post, and confident
that all Is well with the men In blue,
points his craft toward the surface or
the river. Down he swoops with all the
majesty of a gull. He hits the water
but with such precision and nicety that
not a standard is loosened. with
pilot. mechanican and few bombs that
were designed to sink enemy U-boats,
the airman has Just returned from
patrol over the entrance OF Delaware
Bay.
He reports that no enemy craft has
been sighted, that the boys who guard
our shipping and fight our foe from
the deck Of tiny Sub" chasers are
well and happy and then turns in Tor
few hours rest.
Flying Boat Operating No "Cinch"
This airfnan will tell you that operat-
ing a flying boat off the storm-swept
capes Is not ''cinch," that there Is not
a particle OF romance about II, but as
he doffs his leather suit and warns his
chilled body he will tell you that IT'S
great sport and that he longs to meet
a boche.
He is but one man Of more than 1000
4l,A
naval section base, which, to the serN-
ice man, is the very heart OF navy op-
erations on the Jersey and Delaware
coasts.
II Is from this base that Sub" chasers
and patrol boats, to say nothing of the
fleet OF flying boats, operate To them
or rather to their crews, Uncle Sam has
delegated a most important task.
They are to watch for enemy undersea
boats and, in a word. make the waters
free and safe. Not until after the war
will II be possible to spread upon the
public records the achievements Of our
sjackies who are attached to the base.
but the censorship does not withhold the
Information that they have constructed
mighty strong arm of defense.
To Become Permanent Base
To such an extent have they proved
their efficiency that the Government has
decided TO make it permanent naval
base. Steps in that direction have been
taken in the form of new buildings that
are to cost more than s1.000,000. They
will be ready for occupancy in another
fortnight and when Captain F. ]. Haake,
commander of the base, raises his flag
over the new group of buildings, the
Navy Department will announce that
the Cape May naval section base is
a permanent institution and one that
ranks in Importance with any navy yard
In the country.
The submarine. torpedoboat destroyer
and Sub" chaser are no longer regarded
by navy men as auXiliaries to larger
fighting craft. but considered as definite
units and just as important in the navy
scheme as the largest type Of battleship.
The war has revolutionized naval sys-
TENS, and the small boat, the craft that
can be constructed quickly and then
worked with bee-like energy and eff
cheney, today occupies a fixed position
Of Importance.
And whether we are at war or en-
ioying peace, these tiny craft will con-
tinue TO form most important part of
the navy. They need a home ana
nest where their crews can be trained.
Naturally, the nest must occupy posi-
tion OF stategic value. hence the estab-
lishment of tie permanent naval base
at Sewells Point, Cape May.
How the base was organized in an
old recreation pier near the Corinthian
Yacht Club by a bunch of naval re-
serves and how it developed to its
present size and Importance form an
Interesting chapter of naval history.
Facts Concerning the Base
At this time the following facts con-
cerning the base can be recorded To
begin with. Ct must be distinguished
from tie Wissahickon Barracks, for the
latter Is a training station and not
base OF operations On the Cape May
naval section base rests the real work
of protecting shipping and keeping the
waters of the Fourth Naval District
free Of German submarines
To do that requires a force OF men
that numbers more than 1000. To feed
them Uncle Sam pays a yearly bill
amounting to s750.00O, while the bill
for clothing and other items used by
the men and listed as personnel ex-
pense'' requires more tl.an 100000 a
year.
Detailing the various departments one
must mention a machine shop, radio
station, railway for repair of ships. dis
pensary, flying boat nests, bakery, mess
halls. barracks for men on shore duty
and half dozen minor establishments.
but amt we a great gang?" asked
Sammy Freedman. when the EVENING
PUBLIC LEDGER reporter was introduced
to the dapper sailorman from Philadel-
phia. "A great gang" is absolutely
right for. considering the bunch from
any angle that you wish, there will be
but one conclusion, and that will CO.
incide with Sammy's assertion.
Mr.. Freedman is twenty-sx years old
and before his debut In the naval servlc,
Of Uncle Sam he presided at the box
( Office ~ the Casino Theatre. In thC
navy he made good and is now a full.
fiedged quartermaster, or, as a landsmaT
says. "a helmsman."
Captain Haske n Seasoned Sailor
But when one considers the gang 1
IS necessary TO include the genial skip
per. Captain f. j. Haake From tn
soles CT his shoes to the brim of hi
cap the commander OF the naval section
base Is a sailor. For thirty years n
has been an officer In the United State
coast guard service, an arm OF the nav.
thai has a wonderful string OF achieve
ments to Its credit For three year
he was IN command OF the Perry an