UNITED STARS’ NAVY

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9800, 9 May 1924, Page 5

UNITED STARS’ NAVY

ALARMING WEAKNESS IN

EQUIPMENT.

SENSATIONAL REPORT BY ADMIRAL COOXTZ.

SHORTAGE OF SHIPS: SUBMARINES UNUSABLE.

United Press Association—Copy-riefit. (Received May 8. 10.30 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, May®?. • Admiral Coontz’s report, published by -Mr. Wilbur, reveals what naval officials regard as an alarming weakness in the equipment. He says: The material condition of tho fleet is not as good as it should bo. There is a number of major defects which are correctable only by correction of the national policy. Unfortunately it requires a long time to get a fleet up to date owing to deferred maintenance and delayed alterations. The report bases its findings entirely upon the recent manoeuvre;;. Besides reviewing the shortcoming--, of the Navy, it further stresses the shortage of flagships and destroyers. Moreover the squadron leaders Jack offensive, speed end r: liability, while the remaining eighteen battleship#-: have become unfit for p.odtioii-s in tho line. The report, r f wring to submarines, asserts that they are the worst combatants of the fleet. Their design is obsolete and faulty and some of their fuel tanks hank. All the submarines are so deficient in speed as to be unsuitable for fleet work.

There is a great shortage of mines, and modern mines are non-ex-istent.

Admiral Coorstz severely criticises the aircraft situation, declaring that the' ship catapults are not working well. Some of the airplanes are unable to lift a torpedo. Meet over the destroyer tenders are deficient in speed and the auxiliaries arc so sluggish at to limit the fleet’s convoy to a speed of seven and a-halr knots.

The ra die equipment js not modernised and the signal searchlights ineffective.

The report concludes that the sole solution lies in the prompt improvement of defective particulars —A. and N.Z.C.A.