The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-07-23
DENLY TO AID MOVE
FOR PLANE CARRIERS
Sinking of German Warship
Gives Impetus to Demand
for Fast Vessels.
8 WILL BE ASKED FOR
House and Senate Members
and High Navy Officers
Indorse Plan.
SEE BOMBING OF VESSEL
Admiral C0ontz to Urge
Change in Warship Designs as
Result of Demonstration.
SEE BOMBING OF VESSEL

Result OF DemOHSCfdCloH.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
ABOARD U. S. HENDERSON. EN- ROUTE
TO WASHINGTON, July 22.-The sinking
of the German dreadnought Ostfries-
land by airplane bombs. as climax ia
the destruction of various other types
of naval lighting craft by similar
means, has given new impetus to the
demand for airplane carriers for the
American fleets.
Members OF the Senate and the
House and high navy officers. together
with Secretary DENLY, will urge that
steps be taken at once to put the
United States naval forces on an equal
if not on better footing in this re-
gard than any other nation.
An effort will be made to have Con-
gress adopt a programme for the con-
struction of not less than eight such
carriers, so that the United States Will
be abreast of any possible combination
of nations which might 'sngage in war.
The figure is arrived at because Great
Britain already had authorized the
building of six airplane carriers ana
Japan two. Such a recommendation
already has been placed before the
House Naval Affairs Committee by
Capt. Moffitt, chief CT the Navy Bureau
of Aviation.
This drive for airplane carriers is to
be started at once. in the hope that Con-
gress will authorize at least part of
them at this time The new naval APP
preparation bill provided for two car
riers. but they we're cut out. The hope
is that they will be put back in the bill
and that authority will be forthcoming
to begin a programme calling for the
eight carriers.
Urge Aircraft Development.
into commission at the Norfolk Navy
Yard. but she is converted collier
| and is in many ways unsatisfactory
! for the purpose intended The ideal
| carriers are designed to have land
| ing platform on the upper deck, to
measure about 600 feet long and 100 feet
1 across the beam, with the speed of a
battle cruiser. or around thirty knots.
The storage space for the airplanes is
TO be under the landing deck. with hoists
| to take the machines up and below.
The general sentiment among OBJ
| servers aboard the Henderson, who are
returning from the bombing tests to-
i day having been convinced that air.
\ planes with bombs OF sufficient size
and properly placed can sink capita
ships. is that the United States should
| Immediately begin programme OF
| further aircraft development. Although
/ 1t was demonstrated that airplanes
could sing warships. there was scant
opinion that any programme or devel-
| opment should be proceeded with which
would sacrifice tie strength of the
American fleets IL for no other reason
| than that war vessels are required to
protect airplane carriers.
Under the present development air
planes and even seaplanes, with liInita-
tons, find it impossible to go off the
coast further than 100 to $50 miles, for
| the simple reason that they have only
small gasolene carrying capacity. 1t
| is inconceivable that an enemy fleet,
4 II one should come, would approach
| the American coast so close. unless, of
! course, an effort were to be made to
land troops or fire on cities. Military
and naval authorities believe 1t would
be more likely that such a fleet would
| confine itself TO the destruction of COM
merce at safer distance from shore.
Explains Need for Carriers.
It is for this reason, therefore, that
the authorities believe airplane carriers
are essential, so that the bombers may
be carried to the scene of action. They
would be able then to take off from the
deck of the carriers. make their attack
and get back aboard again after the
operations.
Admiral Coontz. director OF operations
of the navy, who is aboard the Hander-
son. is expected almost Immediately Ia
take up with the general board the
question OF improved design of dread.
thoughts to withstand bombs. 1t was
demonstrated during the tests thai
bombs hitting on the deck. while doing
great damage to the upper works and
even causing destruction below. do not
put capital ship out of action. The
bombs that sunk the Ostfriesland were
thoas which fell into the water close te
the side. slowing it in and ripping 1t tc
such an extent that the air compart
ments we're useless. With this in mine
naval design Will proceed in the future
recognizing this menace.
Additional sentiment has sprung IN
particularly among members OF tn,
senate and House, for an Independent
air service as n result OF the tests
It is In line with what Is understoo,
to be the opinion OF President Hardin,
that such a consolidation would Civ,
better results in aviation for the army
navy and marine corps. whose service
at present are independent. although
they all use the same types OF flyinj
craft. as well as bring further econom,
in the Government The proposed con
soidation OF the War Department an,
Navy Department. as the Department
Of National Defence. Is expected 4
take care of this feature.
Plans New. Larger Plane.
: In realization OF the limit of airplane
TO travel from land out to sea dis
lance OF more than one hundred an,