Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-07-17
FLEET WILL TEST
STRATEGIC VALUE
OF PANAMA CANAL

With the departure of the Pacific
fleet from Hampton Roads the United
Estates will embark upon new naval
policy, according to arrangements just
aconpletnd BY Admiral Hugh Rodman
and the Secretary Of the Navy, jose
plus Daniels
The feet viii test for the first time
the strategic possibilities of the Pan-
ama Canal Later It viii determine
Ein i practical way the lines along
which The naval bases IN the Pacific
must be developed to AXE care Of the
large number Of ships In Pacific
waters.
Admiral Rodman announced today
Hthaf the dreadnanghts and destroyers.
1.-The backbone OF the fleet, are now
ready 10 sail from Hampton Roads.
The dale az departure has been de-
flnitely fixed DIT july 10
The movement of the neet already
ktlas begun. Some DC the auxiliary
vessels such as golfers, are on the
lgway. Other ships now IN the Allan
tic transport service will be sent To
The Pacific as soon as they have been
released and repaired.
The main fleet Will arrive at san
Francisco about The time the Presi-
dent reaches the Pacific coast and 4
great naval demonstration will be
made for the first time HI those waters,
admiral Rodman said arrangements
had been made To test the Panama
Canal The machinery Ii set To rush
lshe ships through the waterway as ex-
lpeditionsly as possible AT the same
time the advantages Of the canal as 4
supply base and refnelIng station viii
be determined and the capacity Of the
repair shops gagged The ships viii
anchor for day or two in Gatum
Lake
/ The trip to the Pacific Will be made
AT slow speed as the compliments Of
the vessels, because 81 lack Of men.
are from Is to 30 per cent. smaller
than Is normally allowed. The FIRST
port OF coal on the Pacific viii be San
Diego, where Secretary Daniels Will
meet the fleet for the purpose OF In
specting the c0aiing and aviation sta
tions. Later Mr.. Daniels will visit
ali the stations on the Pacific coast
and III Hawaii.
The full feet viii be at san Fran
cisco about August is. It will remain
for three days and then split up Sc the
vessels may visit every harbor along
the coast
incidentally # Is the purpose Of the
Navy Department to use the fleet to
stimulate recruiting on the coast. Lib
erty viii be given the men whenever
possible along the route. Every ship
Will serve as recruiting station while
In port fter the calls ait PacIfic
ports tf ships will reaasenabie at
Bremerton Navy Yard.
From San Francisco Admiral rod
man will take his flagship, the New
Mexico, and one other dreadnaught
and division of destroyers I'd Hawaii
II Ii Admiral Rodman's intention To-
carry out feet maneuyres and exer-
cises, following the practice OF the
Atlantic fleet II II probable that the
first maneuyres. including target prac-
eice. viii be held III Southern Pacific
waters
The personnel Of Admiral Rodman' 81
stan, 20 far as selected. foilowa: Chief
|of Stan, Rear Admiral Nathan &.
Twining, GuHnery oaiiceT, Command
er Roland N RraInard; Engineer or
Deer, Commander s. N. Robinson
Construction officer, Commander j. III.
-Rarer; Radio officer, Lieutenant Com.
raander Stewart a. Manahail: Flag
lieutanant, Lieutenant Commander
Jonas Ingraham: Marine 0filcer, Major
Ef....1.YA a aaxl...-. - 4.