Evening star., 1942-07-24
Every Graft Of Over
40 Feet Requested
To Battle Subs
Membership Of Power
Squodrons Receives
Commanders PIeu
By MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.

BY MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.
The membership of the United
States Power Squadrons. one of the
country's largest boating groups,
received an appeal from Chief
Comdr. William L. Sayers this week
urging yachtsmen to assist in the
emergency program of the Navy
and Coast Guard for anti-submarine
patrol boats and crews to man
them.
Members OF the Potomac River
Power Squadron, unit OF the
USPS here, were included IN the
appeal.
The urgent request from the chief
commander follows an extraordi-
nary meeting held here last week
by Coast Guard officials and leading
yachtsmen of the city for advice
on means of combating the sub
menace off the East Coast.
All indications were that this
threat to vital shipping had reached
a climax and that the combined
services were looking to yachtsmen
and other boat owners to counteract
the menace before real disaster
overtakes us.
No Physical Requirements.
Vice Admiral Russell R. Waesche,
commandant of the Coast Guard,
has informed Comdr. Sayers that
he is anxious to secure all the sea-
going boats, both power and sail,
he possibly can for observation
emergency rescue and antl-suo-
marine work. Further, Admiral
Waesche wants volunteers to join
the Coast Guard Reserve as tempo
rary members.
There will be few If any physical
requirements for this duty and age
will be no consideration, according
tn Savers announcement. In this
connection it Is recalled that one
of the Norfolk officials questioned
at last weeks meeting on age hmits
for this particular duty replied that
any one under 100 years would pe
considered.
The writer has learned that the
service in canvassing the Natlon
large inland fleet Of pleasure craft
with a possibility that boats found
suitable will be transferred by sew
eral means to either the East or
Gulf Coast, where submarine war
fare Is most active.
Many on Great Lakes.
Since last summer when the war
threat became stronger and many
coastyise races were Cancelled yacht
inR's center has moved Inland,
centering around the Great Lakes.
II is here that many able cra1t
are believed to be available Tor on
shore duty.
While for security reasons the
number of yachts taken over Dy
the Coast Guard here and on
Chesapeake Bay cannot be disclosed
water front observers cannot fail TO
note the absence of many famihar
Potomac craft at local clubs.
1nlS OOeS nOJ UlcdIi, hoWS'SA' OA
the service has reached its quota
IN motorboats required for either
inland or offshore work. Far from
It. as Admiral Waesche outlined to
Chief Comdr. Sayers. II you nave
a cruiser over 40 feet with 1alr
turn Of speed and room for four
or more men, then the Coast Guaro
would be interested.
By the same token, II you are
the owner of a sailing yacht, also
over 40 feet, with auxiliary power
that you feel can go to sea tol
short periods, then let the service
know. And should you know OF
sailing men willing to man these
boats, by all means inform the
Coast Guard.
In order not to delay nor to CLOG
up phone lines to Coast Guard
Headquarters or Norfolk it is sug-
eested that offers Of boats be re-
ferred to the captain Of the port
ONCE, $50 Maine avenue S.W. 1t
Comdr. P. B. Mavor is In charge.
Comdr. Savers also points out
that II a boatman is In the draf
and about to be drafted he can Sc
cure a short deferment and ar
rangements made for transfer to thu
Regular Reserve.