The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-23

does not have its speed or maneu-
variability. Then there is the air
craft carrier, which is accompany
ing large conveys lately. Planes
from the carrier can patrol wide
circle and prevent any enemy sur
face craft from surprising the con-
voy.
That new marvel, radar, can 10
cate enemy planes and submarines
with amazing accuracy, in fogs or
at night. Destroyers are being
equipped with radar now. Listen
ing devices to detect submarines by
the pulsations of their propellers,
have been in use for some time, SO
the officers in charge of the de-
tense Of a convoy have several
means of knowing when the enemy
is approaching.
Only about 500 miles of the voy-
age between the United States and
British ports is beyond the range of
land based aircraft, according to
Secretary Knox. The patrol planes
of the Allies can protect shipping
miles in radius.
Ships Mount Heavy Guns.
Conveys are so large, however,
that despite all sorts of armed
guardians, some ships will be at
tackled, and perhaps damaged or
sunk. Often too, single merchant
ship has to travel without escort to
enter a small port off the regular
run, or for a number of other rea-
sons. Merchant ships have long been
accustomed to mount some cannon
in wartime, but against modern en-
envy craft, ordinary seamen have
little chance to use their weapons
effectively. The maritime commits
sion has ordered every American
ship to carry a five-inch gun. A
crew from the navy mans the piece,
which is deadly to enemy subma-
rines and destroyers, or any vessel
with thinner arrnor than a cruiser.
Ships are protected against air.
craft by anti-aircraft guns and so
caliber machine guns. Expert navy
crews also handle these ordnance.
Submarines and planes are reluc-
tant to get too close to a ship that
can defend herself, and torpedoes,
bombs and gunfre aimed from dis
lance are less accurate.
A barrage balloon is now being
added to the defensive equipment
of merchant ships. The balloon
trails steel cables when in the air,
thereby preventing divebombing
plane from getting too close to the
ship, or from running along it and
strafing the crew with machine gun
bullets. The gas bag is raised and
lowered by a cable attached to a
winch near the stern.
Last month the maritime COM
mission and the War Shipping adj
Illustration decided, after a sue
cessful demonstration, that helicop-
tiers can be employed to give added
protection to individual ships. Ev-
cry new Liberty model ship will
carry a helicopter, according to
present plans. AS these peculiar
aircraft can rise and descend almost
vertically, they can operate from
q SIIldu AREA OLA tilC ucCh VI q VcS~
sci. Whether the ship is part of
convoy or sailing alone, the helicop-
ter can hover around, watching for
the enemy.
Some Sinkings Inevitable.
Ships will be damaged and sunk,
however, despite all defensive pre-
cautions and efforts. Some are
wrecked by storms, or are smashed
on rocks or icebergs. Even when
in sinking condition, nevertheless,
a ship may sometimes be saved by
some of the safety features that are
part of a modern ship. If the ship
must be abandoned, other emer-
gency features help to save the lives
of the crew.
Many safety devices have been
added, and old ones have been inn
proved. Several have been built
into the ship itself. The maritime
commission found that men were
hurt frequently in the dark passage
ways when the lights went out after
torpedo had struck. Luminous
paint signs now mark all passage
ways and exits, and directions point
to ladders and indicate the switches
of emergency lights.