The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-21
The Destroyer Fleet
And It's AuXiIiaricS
fBy a Man-o'-warsman-o

.,,adron its organization and mainte-
moe. The wonderful protection 1t
rs TO the United States and her
satt1a fleet during 'peace'-which
leans a protection during war. 1t
- on1v necessary to change the word
a.uoca,' 10 the word "war"-as far as
~ destroyers are concerned, the little
srb+ing vessels are built to fight and
arc ready when called for.
7, "a a comparatively easy matter to
tuild ships of war, torpedoes, guns
and their accessories. But to put
.bese implements to superior use
meet all emergencies at all times re-
,1ires q humane element which can
no+ be built like ships; but must be
saarched out from tho available man
mower of our country; taught military
IDEAS. to be a sailor, man o warsman
and practically all the other trades
known to the universe.
At the present time it is the navy's
Unfortunate duty to part with very
large number of it's trained men. This
condition was brought about by our
political machine in Washington the
high wages to all in civilian life, and
the failure of the powers above to con-
s:der the increase of pay for men of
the navy Surely the reward for the
excellent service rendered by the navy
during the world war is greater than
what has been handed out so far.
Those in doubt or those who have so
easily forgotten our navy should read.
The Navy at War;" by Admiral
Sins.
To lose all your old reliable trained
men in practically any business is dis
tressing and without superior effort,
(Which drives many executive to old
age before their time) the business
goes into the hands of the receivers.
The navy is not going into the re-
ceiver's hands and we hope not into the
enemy's hands, but the fortunes of
war are many. With a personnel COM
posed of green, unframed men-well
Mr.. "Anyman''-what is you snap
Judgment.
At present out active squadron,
those of the Atlantic fleet which has
based in our harbor for the past two
months. in command of Rear Admiral
c. P Plunkett, U. S. n. With this ex-
cellent officer and the assistance of
his most able staff, the destroyer
squadron is growing into what it
should be, and what it was at the end
Of hostilities in Europe, an ever ready
all powerful, well trained fighting unit
Of the navy.
With the U. S. S. Rochester. flag
ship" we have our. destroyers divided
into two divisions. These are grouped
under the command of a flotilIa COM
Inander. The fIotilla commander
makes his headquarters on board the
flotilla tender (repair ship.
A flotilla tender is a necessary ad-
junct to the success of the destroyers
and without this useful vessel the de-
stroyer becomes unfit to fill its pur-
pose.
A tender being so necessary to the
success of destroyers deserves a word
Of explanation ard praise.
The U. S. S. Dixie, formerly a yes
sci of the Morgan line Of steamships
Of pre- Spanish war days is at present
considered one of the most efficient
vessels of the tender group in the navy
| The duties of tender is to always be
IN attendance with the destroyer flo
| lila, supplying them with provisions
clothing and money for the crew. They
carry g. machine shop, foundry, and
mechanism to make the necessary re-
pairs to vessels operating on distance
service. A vessel would have to be
damaged very seriously that could not
ta repaired by the Dixie.
The people of Pensacola should be
m hox
var vessels in their harbor, and with a
little effort on our part surely we
should try to keep this most efficient
Unit of the navy here.
The slogan Of the people of Pensa-
cola should be (and let's make it that
PENSACOLA the home of the destroyer
fleet"
mere Is no doubt about the capacity
u our harbor. We believe it meets
ne requirements of the war vessels,
as 10 accessibility, depth Of water,
projection from the open sea and a
0eautiful climate.
" nat we lack is "a navy spirit" play
SOUNDS for the men of the fleet, hous-
Jug facilities for the families of Off
'tS ana men who wish to bring them
IS ana above all, and what is very
-'poEtant desire to see our goods
Nie current market value The word
.sA'eefing is being used in connec-
WIN our city and will in the end
very harmful This is obvious to
+L "Af-thinking person who will take
trouble to think
-ue destroyer squadron will leave
-.'@cola in few days for their home
iS 80
SO vessels will receive ordered, Go
70 Your home port, Pensacola" There
nv. e ruo and it is up to US to rub il
~ <Aiter these vessels visit their
-. ports for a few days they vii
-. out again for another period OF
+-sing and training. 1t has been ad