Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-15
Rear Admiral w. A. Moffett
Believes Army Planes
Not Adapted.
DIVING TOWARD TARGET
DECLARED EFFECTIVE
Bombing Craft Must Be Constructed
Especially for Task, Naval
Air Chief Says.

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of the Virginia Cspes yesterday has
failed to shake the faith of naval air.
men in the efficacy of diving bombing
in the sinking of Srface vessels.
The Army bombers are heavy air.
craft not structurally adapted for div
ing with bombs up to 1000 pounds in
weight, as they fly along in straight
line over an ocean target, trusting to
formation and a Salvo-the dropping
of a number of bombs at the same
time--to sink their objective.
Interview Refused.
Rear Admiral William A. Moffett,
chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics,
Navy Department, declined to be inter
viewed on the Mount Shasta bombing,
deeming it a delicate subject He ex-
planned. however. that the Navy under
takes practice Of bombing surface yes-
sells as regular clockwork, and fayors
the diving bombing attack in which
aircraft swoop down from great
heights upon a target from all diree-
tons. Planes must be specially built
for this work
Secret naval tests are now going for
ward on the radio-controlled destroyer
Stoddert on the West Coast. Naval
atrmen believe that they will gain much
more valuable information in this
method of endeavorink to attack from
the air a destroyer steaming fun speed
with not a soul aboard, her engineering
and navigation being accomplished by
radio, instead Of aiming at a sta
tionary target, as was the Mount
Shasta. Aerial target practice, with
floating RATS. marked with flags,
is not neglected by the Navy, how
ever, but the officials anticipate
that the most valuable information will
be cleaned from the work with the
radio-controlled destroyers. which Is
being carried on under cover Of strict
est secrecy
Eventually, it is believed. the three
ships will be sunk by aerial bombs. but
at present, the offlcials are interested
mainly in ascertaining the destruction
wrought by different types OF aerial
bombs on vessel
The Navy Department has never re-
leased figures on the bombing Of the
Washington and the German ships off
the Virginia capes shortly after the
World War. aircraft having taken part
in these exercises.
Acting Secretary Ernest Lee Jahncke
today withheld comment on TIE Army
Air Corps fiasco of the Virginia capes
This is strictly an Army matter. =
he said. They know their business
l must decline to be quoted"
Coast Guard Called.
The Mount Shasta rested on the floor
Of the Atlantic, so miles of the Virginia
capes, placed there by gunflre from two
little Coast Guard cutters after the
Army bombardment failed.
In an hour of intensive lombard
ment so high-explosive, 100-pound
bombs were aimed at the rusty old
IL III -.
scored. When the bombers returned to
proudly rode the waves, defiant, though
listing slightly.
In turning the abandoned Shipping
Board vessel over to the Coast Guard,
Langley Field officers announced the
maneuvers we're successfully COM
pleted" Over long-distance telephone
the chief of bombardment operations
said the Air Corps didn't intend to sink
the ship, but only to make test" On
GERS at Air Corps headquarters here, un-
advised as to the days activities, how
ever. asserted that "as far as we know,
the maneuyers call for the sinking OF
the ship"
Flames Break Out.
The hoodoo ship finally plunged to
the bottom in 500 feet of water after
the cutters Carrabassett and Mascoutin
poured l00-pound shell broaGsides into
her midsection. Just before they opened
fire flames broke out in the hold of the
Mount Shasta. apparently caused by one
of the two direct hits scored by the
Army.
From the start the Mount Shasta
was a ink to the Army. In two pre-
vious attempts, earlier IN the week, TO
bomb her Langley Field bombardment
squadron became separated over the
ocean, radio communications were dis
rupted and several planes were lost in
the fog, with none of the bombers even
sighting the old hulk This resulted in a
Navy offer to find the ship for the Army
and even to sink her II necessary, much
TO the chagrin Of the Air Corps
Determined to vindicate their service
of the Navy iibes. Air Corps heads called
on the nine best bombing pilots at Lang
lev to find the Mount Shasta and sink
her forthwith.
Many Bombs Used.
With the sun piercing through light
cloud banks. the nine planes started out
on their mission of destruction. Sight
ing the hulk shortly before noon float
ing peacefully on the calm waves. the
bombers lined up in formation at 5000
feet and moved in for the kill few
minutes after IL O'Clock. One after
another. in rapid succession, the 100
pound missiles of high explosives were
dropped at the Mount Shasta. The first
hit came about five minutes after the
first bomb was dropped, striking up in
the bow A wiSp Of smoked curled up
from the staunch old craft. and OBJ
servers anticipated she would soon keel
under. but she shook it on and came
hack for more.
Again and again the bombing planes
few over her. dropping their loads
harmlessly into the sea. Finally an
other hit was scored close to the bridge,
V-recking part of the superStructure and
causing q slight list, but otherwise do
ing no apparent damage. The only
other bomb that came close was one
that struck Just aft the stern, under
the counter The Mount Shasta was
heaVed almost out Of the water.
Alibi is Claimed.
Around the Air Corps headquarters
today officers were saying the Motnt
Shasta couldn't sink because she was
loaded with lumber Again the Navy
laughed pointing out that IL wholly
filed the ship would have sunk quicker
than II empty and IL only partly filled
vital hit would have put her decks
awaSh.
If the Coast Guard hadn't come to
the rescue and completed tire task. the
Navy planned to ask permission to send
its bombing planes out after the Mount
Shasta and show the Army Air Corps
how it should be done,
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