The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-05

NOS@ASAAA4S4 tion and any necessary. repairs as the navy pressed into service all available drydocks and many com- mercial tugs.
 At 6:30 p. m., the Ward cast of Her crew waved and cheered, giving the signals to watchers that delivery had started. Scores of motorists congregated at the north end park, waving and honking as the grey Warships moved seaward.
 The other two moved out at three minute intervals, and when all had arrived of Graves Light outside the harbor, they formed single line, picked up the Denebole and sped northeastward about p. m.
 Inside the harbor, meantime, the Buchanan, Wood and Crowninshield were being inspected. Tugs also shifted the Welles, the Herndon and the Goldsborough.
 Major Clearance Port
 Further indication that Boston had become the major clearance port was seen in the arrival of Rear Admiral F. L. Reichmuth, comman- der of the Atlantic destroyer fleet, aboard the destroyer Russell, one of the newer Sims class warships. It was not known whether Admiral Reichmuth accompanied the convoy.
 Reports on which navy officials refused to comment said the ships would sail outside the Emile limit but that no trouble was anticipated
 The three deStroyers which slipped out of Boston harbor at dusk with their names painted out were identi. lied by seafaring men as the Hale, 1090 tons, the Abel P. Usphur, 119O tons, and the Aaron Ward, 1090 tons.
 They were accompanied by the destroyer tender Denebola as they left in formation toward the north, possibly for delivery at Halifax, N. s.
 Last nights sailings came unex- pectedly only 36 hours after PreSi- dent Roosevelt's announcement of the histolic trade for naval and air bases of the Atlantic coast. Un- dersecretary of the Navy James V Forrestal had announced at Wash ing that the first batch would be ready to leave Friday.
 Shortly after a. n1., the 1060-t ton destroyer Mackenzie appeared in the harbor and steamed toward the navy yard. Its arrival, unannounced as were all other activities, brought to Is the total of the old warShips be- ing readied here for delivery or al- ready gone. Official Secrecy Official secrecy shrouded the prep arations and sailing orders. It was believed the first convoy would be turned over to the Royal navy at Halifax and that other contingents would be sent to various Canadian ports.
 After idioSyncrasies of the indiv- idual ships are explained to British crews, it is believed the American skeleton crews will be returned to the United States by accompany ing tenders.
 Unconfirmable reports circulated that the Hale, UpShur and Ward would be met at sea above the Maine-C Canada line by three British warships which would escort them into their Canadian port of trans- fer.
 The keels of all three were laid down in 1918. Each of the 314-foot ships carries four four inch guns, one three-inch anti-aircraft gun and four 2l-inch torpedo tubes. They are capable of 35 knots, but 1t was understood the trip to Canada would be made at moderate speed to conserve fuel.
 Reports that the three destroy. CTS were fully fueled for a trans- Atlantic crossing and carried com- plete quotas of ammunition could not be checked.
 Authorities indicated that Bos- ton would serve as the clearance port for most of SO ships involved in the swap, and that . total 26 would leave within a fortnight. Some of the vessels may, however, 60 direct to Canada from Philadel- L. AA