The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-26
RAZOR-LIKE PROW
 IS CHIEF FEATURE
 OF EAGLE BOATS
Vessels so Designed and Built as to Be Able to
 Crush Any Submarine
By Assnniafnh Prnss

By Associated Press
 Detroit, January 11.--A long, mar row wedge, with steel-encased nose of solid concrete tapered to a knife like edge, forming a considerable part of it's total lenSth of 204 feet, and de- clared 10 be capable of crushing any submarine-such is the Eagle, built by Henry Ford and designed original ly to help rid the seas of the menace of the German U-boats.
 Contrary to popular belief the Eagle is not a motor boat. but an oil-burning steam turbine-driven craft, with a cruising radius of 5000 miles. The Eagle is not thing of beauty; beauty was not contemplated in it's construc- ton. It is long, gaunt weapon of war, of alvsteel construction with the exception of the concrete nose.
 Another popular impression that has been shattered is an idea that the Eagle boat is equipped with torpedo tubes. The submarine chaser was not intended to combat the major instrument of Ger man ruthlessneSs with it's own weapons. 1t was designed to depend rather upon it's maneuverins qualities, it's powerful light guns, and a new American inven- tion for directing its fire al unseen ob- jectS.
 Its crew, including operating and lighting complement, numbers approx imately so men.
 To the observer the first impression of the Eagle boat is one of wonder that craft so narrow can possess buoyancy sufficient to keep it upright in heavy seas. Despite it's length of more than an average city block, the craft has a beam of only 25 feet, and draws when fully equipped less than 10 feet of water.
 Its seaworthiness has been demon strated in the official trials, according to the navy department
 While it is admitted the Eagle does not make the speed of the average de- stroyer, it is claimed that it can out distance most submarines and the razorlile edge of it's bow, silently, but eloquently, tells what would have hap pened had it come in contact with the German undersea pirate.
 Built with utility as its prime pur- pose, seemingly not an inch of space is wasted in the fitting of the vessel, and not an ounce of superfluous weight enters its construction. When dropped into the water ready for the installa- tion of it's engines, guns, etc, less than 200 tons of material have been riv- eted together to shape the Eagle boat
 The plates that form the shell of the submarine chasers vary in thickness from A to ss inch. and not single forging or rolled beam enters their ma ke-up. Everything is pressed from sheet steel, cold, by means of machinery that cuts every piece to an exact pat tern, punches rivet holes, and bends the interior part to required shape.
 Amidship rises the deckhouse. topped by the pilot house, with radio quar- ters, and above all tho coming tower with the crows nest at the highest point Except for this superstructure the deck of the Eagle carries always the Stripped for action" appearance.
 The first Eagle boat was launched July II, 1918, and when the armistice ended hostilities, early in November eightshad been completed and 21 oth CTS were under construction in various stages of completion. Some of these have arrived at Atlantic coast ports.
 Although the sudden cessation of hostilities deprived the Eagle boats of an opportunity to test their prowess against the German undersea terror, they are, nevertheless, to become part of the American navy, the gov ernment having announced it's intention to use them as gunboats in coast patrol work, and possibly in insular waters.
 The contract for the construction of the Eagle boats, which the government has announced will be carried out. calls for 100 of the vessels for the United States government and 12 for the French navy.