A BROKEN REED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19009, 9 May 1924, Page 5

A BROKEN REED

U.S. NAVY’S WEAKNESS A SCATHING REPORT Received May 8, 10.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, May 7. Admiral Coontz’ report, published by Mr Wilbur, Secretary for the Navy, reveals what naval officials regard as an alarming weakness in equipment. Admiral Coontz says the material condition of the fleet is not as good as it should be. There arc a number of major defects which can be corrected only by correcting the national policy. It unfortunately requires a long time to get the fleet up-to-date owing to deferred maintenance and delayed alterations. The report bases its findings entirely upon recent manoeuvres. Besides reviewing the shortcomings previously reported, the Admiral further stresses the shortage of flagships, detroyers and leaders. Moreover, squadron leaders lack offensive speed and reliability, while the remaining eighteen battleships have become unfit for positions in the line.

The report, referring to submarines, asserts that they are the worst combatants of the fleet. Their design is obsolete and faulty. Some of their fuel tanks leak. All the submarines are so deficient in speed as to be unusable for fleet work. There is a great shortage of mines and a non-existence of modern mines. Admiral Coontz severely criticises the aircraft situation, declaring that ship catapults arc not working well. Some airplanes are unable to lift a torpedo. Moreover, destroyer tenders are deficient in speed and auxiliaries are so sluggish as to limit the fleet’s train convoy at a speed of 7A knots. Radio equipment has not been modernised and signal searchlights are ineffective.

The report concludes: The sole solution lies in the prompt improvement of the defective particulars.