The Ensign. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1913. TO RULE THE AIR.

Mataura Ensign, 27 September 1913, Page 4

The Ensign. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1913. TO RULE THE AIR.

The remarkable development in aviation during the List few years is a daily and a growing wonder. The great success met with in the various manoeuvres in Oreafc Britain and on the Continent signifies the entrance of a new age. It is of paramount importance that Great Britain, whose proud record has earned for her the title of ''ruler of the waves," should take cognisance of the. advance of aerial science and march in the van therein. To this end, therefore, the. Admiralty has determined to acquire as soon as possible and to maintain the same superiority over foreign nations in the air as at sea. Great Britain is to possess a paramount air navy of all types of aircraft. The new arm will be known as the Naval Air Service, and will be separate and distinct from the Army aeroplane department. Though "seaplanes"—the official title given by the Admiralty to naval waterplanes—are regarded as the most important branch of the new Service, the Service i>; to have a similar predominance in airships. At present the Navy only possesses two airships, the Oorman-built Parseval and the French-built Astra Torres. These airshi]*; have been doing excellent work, and the Admiralty has decided to obtain as soon as possible 10 more airships. Six non-rigid airships of medium size and two large rigid airships have already been ordered for the Navy from Messrs Viekers. Limited, and Messm Armstrong, Whitworth,_ and Co., and orders for two more rigid airships are promised. "Seaplanes" are to be obtained literally by the score. In March last Hot). Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) estimated that he would have 100 efficient "seaplanes" at the end of the year. To maintain an active fleet of 100 "seaplanes" naval experience shows that nearly 200 machines must lx> acquired, allowance, being always made for about 50 ]K»r cent, being under temporary repair or dismantled for overhauling. Since the First Lord's estimate in March, however, the experience of the naval manoeuvres has greatly enhanced i the value-of "seaplanes" in the opinion of the The captains of nearly all the battleships that took part in the recent manoeuvres have written asking that their vessels may he equipped with waterplanes. At present therefore the position is that the Admiralty is anxious to acquire airship and "seaplanes" as quickly as possible. With the increase in the air forces of the Navy will come a great alteration in naval strategy. 'The Daily Mail' recently announced that there is to be a girdle of "seaplane" stations round the coasts. There is also to bo a similar series of airship stations, though these will Ik* further apart. The function of the naval airships in war will lie to icarry out long-distanco scouting; they ! will make reconnaissances- to the i-enemy's coasts. Tin-, "seaplanes" are ho do short-distance scouting; they will watch the enemy's fleet. Both airships and "seaplanes" will carry wireless installations, by which they will lie enabled immediately to report to the admiral commanding the, squadron to which thev are attached the dispositions of the en'emv. Aircraft will therefore I !>ooomo the "eyes of the fleet," replacing m this work the fast light-armed

cruisers, and it is probable that in future an economy in the building of these vessels will go far towards providing the cost of the new Air Service. As soon as possible every cruiser squadron will have attached to it two or three special cruisers carrying and convoying "seaplanes." Naval designers are engaged in planning a new type of vessel specially suited for this work. Such are the Admiralty's intentions and desires. The policy is a bold and costly one but it is the price of supremacy and it will assuredly have the nation's approval .and support.