The Washington times., 1919-04-01
NAVY AERO SECRETS
OF WAR REVEALED

Naval aviation was developed 60 .
far greater extent during the war
than the public was permitted to be-
lieve. Unlike military aviation. where
the Developments and tendencies were
more or less known to the world at
large during the war, naval aviation
has been enshrouded In the blacklist
and most impenetrable smoke screen
Of the censors; indeed, IL Is only dur
ing the last few days that the facts
are becoming known as regards the
winged branch OF the naval forces.
Along with the dfminutive Sopwith
"Camels" or single-seater blplaneS
which the British navy launched from
platforms erected on a pair OF long
guns Of any cruiser, Il Is now d.
vulged for the first time. says the
Scientific American, that both British
and American naval forces made uas
OF towing barges or lighters for
transporting big seaplanes 70 distant
points. These barges served the pur-
pose Of towing seaplanes 20 some
where near enemy points, BY means
Of fast torpedobOat destroyers, 80. as
% lessen the flying distance.
FOuP Hand Pumps Used.
These barges follow the usual hy-
droplane lines. A compartment at the
rear OF the craft is employed as
trimming tank, which Is blown out BY
ecmpressed-aIr TASKS -Four hand
pumps OF drawn brass tube are used
for handling water ballast and drain
ing the vessel A'WindIass is mount
ed at the forward end This windlass
Is htted with two drums. one for
handling 214-ineh flexible steel wire
rope so that the hauling wire can Be
wound on to L. and the other for
7-16-inch cable chain.
The barge takes the Beaplane on
board by means OF a cradle OF troll
ley. which runs on q pair OF rails.
The trolley Is composed OF two parts.
the after part being hinged to the
foremost or main portion. The fore
part Is carried on ten Hanged rollers.
each three inches in diameter and
two and a quarter inches wide on the
bearing surface. The top OF the
framework OF the cradle is laid with
portable sets OF fir battenS Clips 70
prevent the trolley lifting from the
rails, are provided.
Also four automatic hinged catches
are provided for holding the cradle
in the receiving position and in the
flying boats is slowed on the cradle
running on the fore and aft rails. on
the inner bottom Of the lighter. 10
ship the flying boat or seaplane. the
cradle Is run down the rails to the
extreme after end Of the lighter. The
latter Is then trimmed down aft BY
flooding a water ballast compart .nent
by means Of a Kingston valve, suffi-
cient draught Of water being OBJ
tained to allow OF the flying. boat
or seaplane being flOatsd on to The
cradle.
Hauled UP the Rails.
The cradle, with its load, is now
hauled up the rails by means OF the
hand windless at the bow, to the
slowing position, which is approxi-
mately midships, where u % secured.
The water in the ballast compartment
at the rear Is then blown out by com
pressed air stored in bottles carried
on board the lighter, bringing the
CT aft to an even keel for towing. The
towing eyes are fitted to each side Of
the barge, some distance back from
the bow, a bride being used. BY this
means any tendency for the tighter
to deViate from her true course O.
corrected by one or the other OF the
legs OF the bride bearing on the fore
part OF the lighter and thus bring
ing her back to her true course.
Three skegs are fitted aft for the.
same purpose.
1t Is said that these lighters have
been towed by destroyeFsr at speeds
up to thirty-hve knots with flying
boats on board To prevent the hying
boat or seaplane, as the case may Be,
from lifting or the trolley when the
barge is being towed at high speed.
two wing supports are provided at
each side. When the desired point for
making an attack Is reached the
plane is launched by reversing the
load 'ng operation.