New-York tribune., 1919-05-17
..Bridge of Ships Is Given
Orders That Cover All
Possible Contingencies
That May Arise in Race
Posts Fifty Miles Apart
ronstant Communication
To Be Maintained and
Special Signals Provided

WASHINGTON, May 14.-Coincident
~;,h the start from Trepassey Bay,
p. to-day of the American navy
..arlanes in an effort to make the first
.r.r.atlantic air passage, the Navy
ns,artment made public an order,
issued April Is, which governs the
.et;ons of every aircraft and naval
xeszel connected with the long flight
srd nrovides against almost every pos
.;b,s emergency which may arise dur
inc the aerial voyage. The order con-
to;ns more than four thousand words
and is one of the most comprehensive
ever issued by the department.
When the plan for the transatlantic
a;ght was first conceived the task of
.afesxarding the seaplanes and of
obtaining meteorological data neces-
ssrv TO the venture was placed in the
hands of the commander of the de-
.,royer force. The order, which was
made public to-day, thus was issued
bv Captain Harris Laning, chief of
saf. destroyer force, and has received
bSh praise in naval circles.
A tieeL OIL ANdNdi Vessels
Complete in every detail, the order
proyjdes for the stationlng and subse-
auent movements of sixty destroyers,
four battleships and number of
auxiliary naval vessels in connection
with the fight. Although issued at
New York month prior to the actual
start Of the hazardous journey, the de-
tails OF the order have been followed
without the least hitch throughout the
project.
In accordance with the provisions
of the departments order, the route
which the seaplanes are to take to the
Azores is marked by ribbon of de-
stroyers stationed about fifty miles
apart. These vessels have been on
their stations for several days and
have kept the department here and
the naval officials at Trepassey Bay
constantly informed as to the meteoro-
logical conditions along the course.
In addition to the destroyers four
battleships. the Florida. Utah, Texas
and Wyoming, have been stationed on
the outskirts of the course to furnish
further meteorological data through
out the flight. All of the intricate de-
tails of radio communication between
the various units have been worked out
carefully.
As provided in the order, the sea-
planes are in constant communication
with the naval vessels at all times.
Every precaution has been taken to
safeguard the fiers. In addition to the
radio communication the destroyers
along the route are provided with spe-
cial Illuminating torches, star shells
and flares for use at night to mark
the course, and are in constant readi-
ness to answer sos calls or other
distress signals should accident befall
one Of the big planes.
Iwenty-one destroyers are stationed
on the Trepassey Bay-Azores leg, with
four additional vessels in reserve to
replace any craft which may be called
upon 10 answer an sos signal or
itself become disabled. AS the sea-
planes pass above q destroyer the lat
ter obtains radio communication and
sscertalns the condition of the planes
and indicates the true course to the
next vessel
During the night the destroyers on
sIason one to sixteen will keep brill
ianty illuminated to provide against
,,he seaplane missing a ship and thus
losing the way To guard further
against THIS contingency the destroyers
are ordered, IN the event the seaplanes
nave not been sighted at the approxi-
mate time they should arrive. to make
smoke clouds, show searchliehts. fire
s.ar SHELLS and notify the next ship to
me ,ne westward The next vessel in the
me Viii make the same signals for
.hl1ee-quarters Of an hour before the
pianes are due to arrive.
Ipon neing notified that it has been
s,sa'ed by planes or when a station
ssnip sights the fiers, the vessel will
Immediately stop smoking or Arinr
:. "a. smells, will take the exact course
" y me next station and will steam
s.oWiy on that course to Indicate tbe |
ssoper route and Will keep in radio |
communication with the flying ships.
Signals of Distress
arr;a lanes forcsd to land on the water
nallas darkness will indicate their
srs".on ~ s and condition by radio, rockets
aaa mares with the following mean
~,... s ureen star-Can get off the
80 again, no assistance reouired.
,su - ssar or hare-Assistance reouired
II i.ss s event that one plane is forced
yic;n;.1 u Iana sne others will remain in tho
i, 49,; untA a report Of her condition
nsIveo or assistance arrives.
tiansd Ing the fight all destroyers sta
nrrs r,snso aiong the route are to disniav a
sr0er s.rs !. which will indicate to The
Cs.s,11n C 1ne distance they have covered,
b. ~ precautions have been taken
Al, sls sle Navy Department to keen tbs
n.ssasa. a. s,sar Of all except emergency radio
rssake9 dying he >;,.a Z - a