Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-14
NAVY REPORT
CONTINUED from Page one)

ing extravaganza and waste, by de-
yeloping thrift and thoroughness,
and in particular by developing the
skill, zeal and character of the navy
personnel, but he added that when
ships became obsolete they should be
| replaced.
Referring to the Shenandoah dis
aster and the controversy which fol-
lowed. Mr.. Wilbur again declared
that complete liberty of action was
given Lieutenant Commander Zach
airy Lansdowne, the ships command
, err. AS for aviation policies in gem
eral, he reiterated his stand that
aeronautics should continue as an
, arm of the fleet.
ION August Is. 1925" Mr.. Wilbur
said, "the chief of naval operations
held his final conference with Lieu
| tenant Commander Lansdowne con-
corning the fight, at which time
! Lieutneant Commander Lansdowne
expressed himself as satisfied with
/ the date and arrangement for the
| flight and expressed entire confidence
in the ability of the ship and crew
/ to successfully complete the propos-
| ed fight.
| AT this conference Lieutenant
| Commander Lansdowne was again
reminded that in accordance with the
! established policy OF the department
| he was authorized to defer the trip,
change the itinerary, or abandon it
altogether il in his judgment such
changes were rendered necessary by
weather conditions"
| The naval aviation operations with
! the Macmillan expedition, the Secre-
tary said, would furnish valuable in
formation not only from viewpoint
of science and discovery, but in the
/ interest Of aid operations under new
and difficult conditions. The attempt
ed Hawaiian flight was described as
another step in advance in the de-
velopment of material and equipment
for naval planes in long distance
work over water" The plane PN-9
No. /, he added, failed to reach her
goal because the favorable winds
were of less intensity than anticipat-
] ed, which with rain squalls account
ed for her not having enough fuel
| Commander John Rodgers and his
crew, he said, were due great
credit" for their fortitude and re-
sourcefulness.
| The report described the courses in
aviation instituted at the Naval
Academy adding that 1t was planned
| to give more extensive courses to
classes upon their graduation. Then
| taking up the subject in detail it
! continued:
aircraft operating with the other
| coordinate arms of the feet are vi
! tally essential to modern naval op-
erations. The development of naval
| aviation has progressed during the
| past year with satisfactory results
| in spite of many difficulties inherent
! in the refinement of a new art.
| '"The navy has made every effort
to standardiZe on types of aircraft
which are best suited to the needs
| of the naval service. Planes have
been developed and are now in serv-
| ice with the fleet which combine the
| functions of scouting, bombing, and
! torpedo launching. Other types
have been developed and are in use
| for observation and spotting service
to the battleships and cruisers.
| Fighting planes will be provided
with special reference to the equip
ment of airplane carriers.
| practical training in the tactical
use of aircraft in naval operations
was afforded by the maneuvers held
| this year and centering around the
| Hawaiian Islands. In these opera
| lions naval aviation was given an
| important role. A total of 100 naval
| aircraft were engaged in these man.
.euverS, representing an increase of
: approximately 20 per cent over the