Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
AVIATION

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4 form a fireproef blanket between
the gasoline tanks and the inner
part of the ship.
There is q complicated system
of piping and regulatory equip
ment. Water overflows are pro-
vided at three levels to balance
gasoline of varying specific grav-
ity. There also are gasoline and
water expansion tanks and gaso-
lire and water reservoir tanks to
assist In equalizing the tive
liquids throughout the system.
How Gas Is Handled.
Gasoline normally is taken
aboard through six-inch pipes in
the sides Of the hull, but may also
be taken in drums and poured
into the storage tanks through
tunnels on the flying deck. The
gasoline overbalanceS the water
In the system, forcing a CORE
spending amount of water out of
the storage tanks into the reser-
voir tank, from which the sur
plus is pumped overheard.
Delivery of gasoline to the fly
ing deck is made through 2h-
inch riser pipes. For fueling of
planes and small boats afloat
alongside the carrier there are
six permanent booms, each carry
ing a fueling line.
Since the passage Of gasoline
through hose or pipe generates
static electricity, which is liable
to discharge as a spark between
the nozzle of the hose and the
receiving tank or funnel, perma-
nent grounding wires are provid-
ed at all fueling points.
The telephone system aboard
the carriers is unusually COM
plete. SO miles of wiring being re-
quired for this purpose aboard
each ship. There are 325 tele-
phones and in addition a general
loud speaker system comprising
236 speakers. There also is a call
bell system which includes 500
annunciator drops, ITO push but
tons and 248 bells. There are $50
fire alarm stations and a general
fire alarm warning system COM
prising 216 gengs and howlers.
Old-fashioned sailors who had
to peel "spuds" with grewls and
dull knives admire the galley
equipment Of the carriers. Elec-
trical labor saving machinery
predominateS. There are cleo
trical meat grinders, potato par
erS, bread mixers and dish wash
erS. The cooking is done on Is
electric ranges and in seven elec-
trio ovens.
No Funds Provided.
While new carrier, of much
smaller size than the Lexington
and Saratoga, has been author
lied by Congress, no direct appro-
priation for its construction has
been made. Funds were provided
to prepare for the construction of
the carrier and cruisers which
were authorized under the cruiser
program adopted by the last
Congress, Appropriations for con-
struction are expected to be made
by the current Congress.
The new carrier is expected to
diSplace less than $4,000 tons, as
against the $4,000 tons apiece for
the big carriers. This is to permit
the construction of several car
riers rather than one or two large
ones, the Washington naval
treaty ratio permitting the United
States to have $4,000 tons in
airplane carriers, $4,000 already
having been taken by the Lexing-
ton and Saratoga. The remaining
5000 tons authorized may be
divided into four or five smaller
carriers, 1890 tons having been
set tentatively as the approx
mate tonnage of each ship.
The Lexington and Saratoga
now are at San Pedro, Calf. They
are due in Atlantic waters this
Spring. On March 10 they are to
engage in tactical Haneuvers
with the combined fleets in the
Caribbean Sea. Then they will
go with the fleets to Guantanamo
for further tactical exercises.
Both carriers are to visit New
York for about 10 days in May
and then go to Hampton Roads
before returning to their home
stations on the Pacific Coast in
the latter part of May.
The carriers are to bring IA
airplaneS into action in the
maneuvers. Airplanes from the
battleships and cruisers of the
fleets will bring the total number
of aircraft in operation to ap-
proximately 400, representing all
types in the naval service from
the fast little fighters up to the
big, powerful long-range patrol
planes.