U.S. NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 304, 26 December 1933, Page 7

U.S. NAVY.

Concentration on Atlantic Coast. ENTIRE FIGHTING STRENGTH. WASHINGTON, December 25. A message from the United States haval base at San Pedro, Southern California, states that virtually the entire fighting strength of the United States Navy will be concentrated on the Atlantic Coast next summer. Under the tentative schedule announced yesterday an armada of 110 surface vessels, the dirigible Macon and about 300 aircraft will leave their bases in California on a seven months' cruise on April 9; Only 17 destroyers, two battleships and one light cruiser will be left on the Pacific Coast. The fleet is expected to return to Southern California on November 15. Rear-Admiral King, chief of the Bureau of Navy Aeronautics, in his annual report to the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. C. A. Swanson, says that although three aircraft-carriers are under construction and one is nearly completed, the navy is without aeroplanes to equip them. Furthermore, there is none provided for the seven cruisers under construction. Admiral King recommends that appropriations be made for 212 aeroplanes for these vessels, with increased personnel to handle them. He also asks that a dirigible be built to replace the Akron and that the dirigible Los Angeles be recommissibried.