THE AMERICAN NAVY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1844, 25 June 1918, Page 4

THE AMERICAN NAVY.

The American Navy Department announces that it will send 180 destroyers .to European waters in 1918. In a speech at Cleveland (Ohio) on March 22nd —three months ago Secretary Daniels gave some particulars of what had then been, done by the American Navy, and since then it may reasonably be concluded that further greater work has been accomplished. Mr Daniels said: “The United States Navy has in European wafers not only a force of destroyers, but also battleships, .cruisers, subr marine tenders, gunboats, ‘ coastguard cutters, converted yachts, lugs, and numerous vessels of other types for special purposes. We have furnished every possible aid which the countries allied with us in the war have requested. We have worked in the closest co-operation with them. Our forces have played an important part in the war against the submarines, and have aided materially in ■ the marked reduction in the sinking of merchantmen as compared with the sinkings a iyear ago, and in the no less notable increase of the number of sub : marines destroyed.” Mr Daniels read a letter from Vice-Admiral Sims, reporting the most cordial cooperation between the British, French, Italian, and United States Navies. Continuing, Mr Daniels said“ There are no fewer than 150 naval vessels, not including a considerable number of submarine 'chasers, operating on the other side. Over 35,000 men and officers are now serving in European waters. This is more than half the strength of the navy before we .entered the war. This number does not include the personnel of troopships, supply vessels, armed guards, signal men, radio men, and others who go into the-war zone on recurring ships. Aviation bases have been established in Europe, and members' of the naval flying corps have been for months in active service. The first of the regular armed forces of the United States landed in France were naval aviators, who arrived on June Bth. Our aviators are co-operating with those of England, France, Italy, and Portugal. In comparison with the number of men and ships engaged, the losses have been gratifyingly small. Enemy submarines have sunk only two fighting units —the destroyer Jacob and the converted yacht Aleedo. Four other small vessels have been lost owing to the hazard of war, and the sea which comes from steaming without lights or in winter waters.”