The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-25
NAVAL BLIMPS TO WAGE FIGHT
 AGAINST SUBS
Rv JoHN D. NFcDERMOTT

nL WWAAkN hSs AFAGARMANtNAVA United Press Stan C0FrespOndent) Richmond, Fla, June 25--(UP)-- A fleet of Navy "sausages"--small- sized blimps-soon will be lowering over the Florida straits and other vital shipping lanes for inter-Am- erican commerce, counteracting blow for blow attacks by Axis U-boats.
 A $6,0O0,000 Naval Air Station, nestled under the sheltering Florida pines south of Miami, is rapidly nearing completion. It is expected that close to 100 of the gas-inflated crafts will be based here.
 Establishment of the blimp base and the recent transfer of Rear Ad- miral James L. Kaufman, veteran anti-submarine fighter from Ice- land to command the Gulf Sea Frontier indicates that the Navy will do its utmost to eliminate the under sea menace which has impaired in- ter-American shipping.
 Record High Losses Admiral Kaufman said that his main objective would be to conquer the preying subs. ITO this end we will devote all our energies and re- sources" he said.
 Shipping losses due to torpedoingS reached record highs for the Florida Caribbean Gulf area during the pee riod May 4 to June when more than 40 merchantmen were report ed sunk.
 Blimps have been used success fully in anti-submarine warfare in the north Atlantic and on the Pa cific coast, according to Carl Vim son, D., Ga, chairman of the House Naval Affairs committee. "They have more than proven their worth" he said.
 The low speed of blimps and their ability to move faster even than warship when necessary are two of their prime assets. Observers with field glasses can much more easily sweep the waters in search of sub- marines fro mblimps than is possible from speedy planes.
 Spot Sub "Wash"
 The blimps also can carry large numbers of explosives which can be dropped accurately if sub Is sight ed. Test flights made by the navy, using schools of whales as objec- tives, have warranted the belief that the blimps may be the best answer to the undersea raiders sneak attacks on merchant ships.
 Blimp "spotters" are on the look out primarily for the "wash" of a submerged sub which would give its presence away, air bubbles which float to the surface, the periscope- often hidden under an empty orange crate or some other such camou- flage or a tell-tale oil smear. The observers also keep sharp lookout for floating mines, some of which may have broken loose from their moorings.
 Base Is CamOuflaged
 Capt. Charles E. Rosendahl, Navy blimp expert in Washington, recent Ily asserted that the Navy considered the Florida straits a critical area after tour of the vital south Flo. rida waterways.
 The Richmond base will compris' an area of about 960 acres, although the aircraft will have mooring fa- cilities over a 1,700-acre tract to pre- vent mass destruction should the enemy strike at the airport. A large hangar will serve more as a repair shop than a housing shed fo rthe "sausages."
 The entire base is well protected by camouflage which blends the col Iors of the buildings in with those of the pines and foliage surrounding 1t; The Navy declines to reveal when 1t will be completed and ready for ac- ton. The day is not far distant, however, when the sausage-like watchdogs will be patroling the off, shore traffic lanes, vital link be- tween the Americas.