UNITED STATES
POWER IN
Our Existing Navy
Ships in Full Commission Ships Not in Full Commission
Battleships I*l <' Commission in Reserve)
, Battleships 10
M(l3 Dreadnaughts; 1 predreadnaught) Armored Cruisers 7
~ Cruisers, first class 4
Armored Cruisers o , Cruiser, second class 1
Cruisers, second class - j Cruisers, third class i .. 6|
.Destroyers 11 1
Cruisers, tlrird class S . Torpedo Boats 1
Destroyers SS j Monitors 2
I Gunboats
.Monitors 4 Special Types 2 J
... , „„ Unserviceable for war purposes, I
.Submarines -■ serV ing as receiving ships ,
Transports 3 and station ship 31
Gunboats 1S i Commission in Ordinary)
, Cruiser, third class 11
Supply Ships 4 J Destroyers 2 I
FuW Shl <" 20 ja|
Converted T.ch.. *lTjrgJ. *>•,-■• • 11
Tugs *' J (Operating with reduced corn-
Tenders to torpedo vessels 5 ; 11|111J || is I
Mine Training Ship 1 ' ...
, (Out of Commission♦)
Surveying Ship 'l Battleships s
Ammunition Ship 1 Cruiser, first class 1
. I Cruiser, second class *
Repair Ship I |Cruisers. third class .. -
Mine Depot ships 2 j £ r s £°^ r Boat v 7; !!!! i;!::! i!!! 4
Hospital Ship * Submarines -
Unserviceable for war purposes. Transport • *
but acting as station ships, j Fuel Ship •••• J
. . • Tenders to Torpedo \ essels •:
training ships and receiving 'converted Yachts 9
sfcips 7 | Unserviceable for war purposes. . 9
Total in full commission "224 i Total npt in full commission... 127
MEN NEEDED TO PUT EXISTING SHIPS IN COMMISSION
The Secretary of the Navy states that to put Sll S 'V 049 "resrutars
mission, 'the navy would be short
and 2 3,330 reserves after using 9,000 militia and 463 fleet reserves The short
age will increase for each new ship commission tn 1917 and 191S and th
three-year program alone will require 29,12 i.
PERSONNEL OF THE NAVY
(Bureau of Navigation Excepting Starred Figures)
Required on
Authorized Present CompleUon of
Strength Strength 3-year Program
Officers 1 3,200 (*EsUmated) 2,111 I 4,487
Enlisted Men j 81.322 65,445 j 99,809
Enlisted Men Reserves. 46,870
Estimated present shortage—Officers 1,099; Men 25,877
•4 per cent, of Authorized Enlisted Strength.
MARINE CORPS
i
PRESENT STRENGTH—
Officers li 3 s
Enlisted Men
AUTHORIZED INCREASE—
Officers os?
Enlisted
NAVY AERONAUTICS
The appropriation for Navy aeronautics available under the acts of
August 29 is, $3,500,000.
Personnel
Officers authorized 150 Present number of officers... 53
Enlisted men authorized 350 Present number enlisted men 163
Machines (In service)
Seaplanes 37 Seaplanes awaiting decision as
Kite balloons 2 to disposition 8
Ordered
Seaplanes on order or awaiting Kite baloon awaiting survey . 1
acceptance 40 Dirigible undergoing trials .. 1
Kite balloon on order 1
PLAN OF THE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM—I9I7, 1918, 1919
(Authorized by 4>ct of Congress of August 29, 1916)
Appro- Uecom- Remaining
j mended to
Authorized j priated for bg appro _ to be pro-
Type in 3- year j in naval | priated for vided for
program. bill for j In naval in naval
1917 j bl " for bill, 1919
1918
Battleships 10 I 4 3 3
Battle cruisers fi 4 *- 1 1
Scout cruisers 10 4 3 3
Destroyers 50 20 15 15
Fleet submarines 9 ' 4 5
Coast submarines ....[ 58 30 14 14
Fuel ships ' 3 1 2
Repair .ships ! 1 I
Transports I 1 1 1 .
Hospital ships j 1 1
Destroyers' tenders .. 2 1 f 1
Submarine tenders ... 1 j 1
Ammunition ships ... 2 1 1
Gunboats 2 ! 1 1
I— 1 1
Total 156 66 I 42 48
1 |
•DELAY ON SEVEN SHIPS
The Secretary of the Navy on January S wrote to the Chairman of the
House Na\al Committee stating that four private companies made proposals
for the construction of four battle cruisers and two scout cruisers at cost plus
h percentage to cover indirect costs, plus another percentage for profit,
amounting in all to about 35 per cent. The Navy Department considered all
bids high and, as the cost would exceed the limit authorized, did not accept
the proposals. For one scout cruiser no proposal was received.
The time required by the bidders on these seven ships did not in the
opinion of the Department conform to the Congressional requirement for
speedy construction. In two cases constructon was offered within 48 monhs;
in one case within 51 months and in the other case no time was named.
The naval construction program therefore faces a setback of the gravest
nature. The enlargement of government navy yards is suggested by the
Secretary of the Navy as the best way to solve the difficulty.
On August 29, 1916 the sum of $6,000,000 was authorized for the im
provement of government navy yards so that increased efficiency and capacity
might be attained in the upbuilding of the navy. Ships already assigned to
government yards fully engage all the facilities of these yards. To meet the
new conditions the Secretary of the Navy recommended on January 8, 1917,
to the House Naval Committee that $12,000,000 be appropriated to be im
mediately available for further increasing the yards.
NITRATE PLANT ,
Preliminary to the establishment of a government Nitrate Plant for the
manufacture of Nltrrtes, essential for ammuniion a committee was ap
pointed to investigate the various nitrate manufacturnig processes. Ths com
mittee has not yet reported.
ARMOR PLATE PLANT
An appropriation of ti1,000.000 included in the Navy Bill of August 29,
11)16, provided for the establishment of a plant to manufacture armor plate
for the Navy. Coinciding with a military principle laid down by the Army
War College the General Board of the Navy has advised that the plant shall
not bo located east of the Appalachian Mountains, west of the Cascade or
Sierra Nevada Mountains, nor within two hundred miles of the Canadian or
Mexican frontiers. A boari of throe officers, Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher,
HAKRISBURG tfSffo- TELEGRAPH
ENTERS WAR AS FOURTH NAVAL
SHIPS AND FIFTH NAVAL POWER IN MEN
THESE GUNS ARE SUPERIOR TO ANYTHING IN GERMAN NAVY
These mighty 14-Inch rifles of the battleship Pennsylvania, flagship of Admiral Mayo, of the Atlantic fleet,
are superior to anything in the German navy. No single battleship of the kaiser could cope with this vessel.
In fact, only the five great warships of the type of the Queen Elizabeth, finished since the beginning of the
war by Great Britain, are the equal of the Pennsylvania.
Commander Frank H. Clark and Civil Engineer Rueben E. Backenliaus is
now canvassing the many site- proposed within the approved zone.
NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
Tlie Naval Consulting Board of 24 civilians, headed by Thomas A. Edison
and whose members were selected because of eminence in science was, organ
ized for the purpose of obtainng from men of industrial achievement expert
advice in the many problems entailed in the upbuilding of the Navy. The
Board held its first meeting on October 5, 1915. The Secretary of the Navy
states that of the many problems presented to this Board "some have been
solved and others are in process of investigation."
The Committee of Production, Organization. Manufacture and Standard
ization, of the Naval Consulting Board, popularly known as the Committee
on Industrial Preparedness, has completed a confidential industrial inventory
of the manufacturing resources of the country. Twenty-seven- thousand re
ports covering the leading manufacturing concerns in this country have been
secured by this committee. They are completely indexed for the use of. the
Army and Navy and have been turned over to the Council of National
Defense.
The Board has passed t pon the value of many inventions offered to the
Navy Department. Congress It. the Navy bill approved August 29, 1916, ap
propriated $1,500,000 for the establshment of a laboratory for the Naval
Consulting Board. On September 19, 1916, the Board was requested to in
vestigate and report upon a site and plans. A Committee of the Board has
since made extensive study and investigations which were made the basis
of a recommendation as to the best site for the construction of this Inbratory.
AUTHORIZED STRENGTH ON JULY 1, 1920
Under the five-year incrcn*t plan the strength of the Regular Army of
July 1, 1920 should be:
Peace Strength
Officers 11,450
Unlisted Men 175,000
- Non-combatant troops, including unassigned recruits 42,750
Philippine Scouts 5,733
Approximate Total in 1920 . .223,589
Maximum War Strength
Officers.... 12,030
EnlistedMen, including Philippine Scouts 298,000
Total 310,030
AGGREGATE STRENGTH OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS
IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES
• Totals
June 30 1916 82,927 82,927
| July 31, 1916: On border duty 110,957
In State Mobilization camps 40,139 151,096
Aug. 31, 1916: On border duty 111,954
In State mobilization camps 26,643 138,597
Sept. 30, 1916: On border dut. 108,018
In State mobilization camps 35,684 143,702
Oct. 31, 1916: On border duty 102,527
At home stations for muster out 19,711 122,238
Aggregate strength of National Guerd organizations not
called into the service of the United States . 20,021
The "Unorganized Militia' so-called, is the entire eligible male popula
tion of the country, being all those male citizens between the ages of 18 and
45, and not disqualified, physically or otherwise, from performing military
service in time of war.
PRESENT STATUS OF ORDNANCE
Procurement of Gauges, Dies and Jigs necessary for the manufacture <H
Arms and Muntions of War. (Appropriation $200,00.) The War Depart
ment says:—
| In addition to placing orders for small-arms ammunition through private
manufacturers, which necessarily results in these establishments being equip
i ped with gauges, dies and jigs for the manufacture of said small-arms am
: munition, steps are being taken to manufacture master gauges, inspection
gauges, and working gauges sufficient to equip five small-arms ammunition
plants.
The procurement of gauges, etc., for the manufacture of .30 caliber
I rifles has not yet reached the point where orders for these have been given.
[Specifications governing the manufacture of rifles by private manufactures
; have, however, been prepared and final action along these lines is awaiting
! detailed information from the most important plants in this country.
Small-arms ammunition on hand or provided for up to June 30, 1916
327,000,000 rounds, on hand, or provided for up to June 30, 1917
387,000,000 rounds. U. S. rifles, caliber .30, model of 1903, on hand or pro
vided for up to June 30, 1916—725,000; on hand or provided for up to June
30,1917—836,000.
Field Artillery Ammunition
The Department states that the manufacture of ammunition for both
mobile and seacoast artillery has been inaugurated on a scale that will furnish
! the prescribed allowances of ammunition within the time allotted for the
completion of the program. The increases in the capacity of the various
j Government Arsenals manufacturing ammunition which were authorized by
I the last Congress are well under way, so that their capacity will be greatly
i increased in the near future. In addition, large orders have been placed for
| the various components of ammunition with many of the private mamufac
iturers in the county equipped for this work.
I Batteries of 3-inch and 4.7-inch guns and 6-inch howitzers have been
ordered, either to be manufactured at the arsenals or to be procured under
contract, and awards for additional material heavier than 6-inch will be
made in a few days. The Department hopes that in addition to the American
designs representatives in this country of foreign companies may be able to
submit designs of material now used in the European war.
ARMY AERONAUTICS
(Total appropriation $13,281,666.)
Personnel
Officers authorized 77
Enlisted Men authorized, 1,800
Present number of officers, including those detailed and retired
officers on active duty 96-
Present number of enlisted men 600
Machines Machines
In Service: Ordered:
67 machines 206 I,and machines '
4 Hydroaeroplanes , 80 Hydroaeroplanes
2 Flying boats . ] 6 Flying boats
73 Total 302 Total
In addition, 5 captive balloons for field artillery fire control have been
ordered.
OXK ZEPPKMX OBE CONSTRUCTED—A large dirigible of the Zep
pelin type is to be constructed by a joint board of Arms and Navy officers.
They are not ready to say what it will uost or to give its dimensions.
HARRISBURG AS
HOSPITAL BASE
COULD DO MUCH
City Has Means to Care For
3,000 Wounded Soldiers
and Sailors
LOCATION IN ITS FAVOR
Churches Plan to Do Their
Share of Patriotic and
Humane Work
Harrisburg as a hospital base could
take care of 3,000 wounded soldiers
and sailors in the event of a clash
between the armed forces of the
United States and Germany, it was
said to-day.
The opinion has been expressed
that on account of the location, rail
road facilities, and commodious build
ings, this city would make an ideal
base for a military hospital. No enemy
shells could he dropped into Harris
burg from the Atlantic; the city is
only a short distance from Phila
delphia and Baltimore; hospitals,
churches and several public buildings
could accommodate at least 3,000
wounded, and the river front .?ould
be used for convalescent purposes.
A survey of the situation made to
day by the Telegraph showed that
ample provision could be made here
to take the proper care of the wound
ed soldiers and sailors. City officials,
ministers, doctors and members of
the Red Cross Society and other or
ganizations declared that llarrisburg
would throw open its doors wide and
go the limit in looking after the
wounded.
Churches to Do Share
That the local churches could be
counted upon to do their share In
caring for wounded men was made
plain by the expressions of many of
the ministers of the city. Bishop
James H. Darlington, of the Episcopal
church, in discussing the matter - aid:
"That is bright idea. It would be
an excellent thing for the people of
Harrisburg to put their hands to such
work. This is an ideal location for
a base hospital and Harrisburg
churches would be loyal and liberal
in their support of the work."
The Rev. Dr. John D. Fox, pastor
of Grace Methodist church, said that
the people would be found in the
forefront in carrying on this humani
tarian work.
"I am sure the churches of Harris
burg would give as much space as
they possibly could in such an emer
gency," declared the Rev. Joseph
Daugherty, pastor of the Sixth Street
United Brethren church.
Police Chief J. Edward Wetzel said
that Harrisburg could easily take care
of 8,000 wounded and that this cits
has many arguments it could advance
for the establishment of a base hos
pital.
Best Site Possible
E. Z. Gross, president of the local
Red Cross chapter, thought that be
cause of its accessibility Harrisburg
was the best inland point for a base
hospital.
"We can erect temporary build
ings on the grounds of Polyclinic nos
pital to accommodate 1,000 patients,"
said Dr. Samuel Z. Shope, "and we
would welcome the opportunity to
be of service in this work, in the
event of war. Polyclinic is Ideally
situated for just such an emergency.
It has the very finest outlook in the
world. It is away from the noise and
smoke, and convalescents would
greatly enjoy the breezes from the
river."
Besides the Harrisburg and Poly
clinic hospitals these buildings could
be utilized for the caring of the
wounded: Chestnut street hall, the
Armory, Board of Trade building,
Harrisburg club. Engineers' club.
Cameron hall. Russ hall and Whites
hall. The State Capitol would all
probability be offered to the Federal
government for hospital purposes in
easei more room was needed and at
least 1,000 men could be cared for
there.
Authorized Ships
|i j "
i I P rcentage*
Name and | Year | of Com- Probable Date of
Official Number i Authorlzcdl pletion Commission
I I
1
BATTLESHIPS , I
(Drcadnaughts) I
New Mexico (40) 1 1914 i 52.0 June 1, 191S
Mississippi (.41) 1914 [ 59.6 April 1, 1918
Idaho (42) i 1914 | 65.5 May 1, 1918
Tennessee (43) | 1915 |' 1.4 January 9, 1919
California (44) 1915 | 6.1 January' 9, 1919.
Maryland (46) | 1916 | March *5, 1920
West Virginia (48) ...| 1916 September 5, 1920
Colorado (45) | 1916 May 5, 1920
Washington (47) 1916 November 5, 1920
RATTLE CRUISERS
Number (1) 1916
Number (2) 1916
Number (3) 1916
Number (4) 1916 11.!!!!!!!.!!!!!!
SCOUT CRUISERS
Number (4) 1916 i June 26, 1919
Number (5) 1916
Number (6) 1916
Number (7) 1916
DESTROYERS
Allen (66) i 1914 , 91.4 January 30, 1917
Shaw (68) I 1914 | 89.0 January 1, 1917
Caldwell (69) 1915 27.8 December 1, 1917
Craven (70) 1915 | 9.1 September 1, 1918
Gwin (71) 1915 10.7 I November , 1917
Conner (72) 1915 16.1 | August 20, 1917
Stockton (73 1915 16.1 j September 5, 1917
Manley (74) 1915 35.4 I August 30, 1917
Number (75) 1916 September 30, 1918
Number (76) 1916 October 30, 1918
Number (77) 1916 November 30, 1918
Number (78) 1916 December 30, 1918
Number (79) 1916 December 26, 1918
Number (80) 1916 June 26, 1919
Number (81) 1916 June 26, 1919
Number (82) 1916 j June 26, 1919
Number (83) 1916 | June 26, 1919
Number (84) 1916 | June 26, 1919
Number (85) 1916 j June 26, 1919
Number (86) 1916 | June 26, 1919
Number (87) 1916 | ........ October 30, 1918
Number (88) 1916 j November 30, 1918
Number (89) 1916 j December 30, 1918
Number (90) 1916 j January 30, 1918
Number (91) . 1916 i February 28, 1919
Number (92) 1916 | February 28, 1918
Number (93) 1916 |
Number (94) ........ 1916 |
I
COAST SUBMARINES !
(000 tons)
L-5 (44) 1912 85.2 February 1, 1917
L-6 (45) 1912 85.3 April 1, 1917
L-7 (46) 1912 I 85.0 May 1, 1917 ,
M-l (47) 1912 | 99.4 April 1, 1917
1.-8 (48) 1913 | *l.B | April 1, 1917
Schley (52) 1914 29.3 September 15, 1918
N-l (53) 1914 ! 73.8 May 19, 1917
N-2 (54) 1914 68.9 June 19, 1917
N-3 (55) 1914 I 76.9 July 19, 1917
N-4 (56) 1914 ! 73.8 August 1, 1917
N-5 (57) 1914 | 72.4 September 1, 1917
N-6 (58) 1914 | 72.1 October 1, 1917
N-7 (59) 1914 ! 5.3 November 1. 1917
Number (60) 800 tons. 1915 | 5.3 October 2, 1918
Number (61) 800 tons. 1915 I 0.0 October 2, 1918
O-l (62) 1915 | 0.0
0-2 (63) 1915 I 23.8 >
O-S (64) 1915 | 23.8 January 3, 1918
0-4 (65) 1915 j 23.7 January 18, 1918
0-5 (66) 1915 23.7 January 18, 1918
0-6 (67) 1915 23.7 February 12, 1918
0-7 (68) 1915 23.3 February 12, 1918
0-8 (69) 1915 23.3 March 1, 1918
0-9 (70) 1915 23.3 March 1, 1918
O-IO (71) 1915 38.1 March 24, 1918
O-ll (72) 1915 36.9 October 28, 1917
0-12 (73) 1915 35.6 November 28, 1917
0-13 (74) 1915 25.8 December 28, 1917
O-l4 (75) . . 1915 25.0 | March 1, 1918
O-l5 (76) 1915 24.0 April 1, 1918
0-16 (77) 1915 0.0 May 1, 1918
Number (7S) 1916 December 8, 1918
Number (79) 1916 December 23, 1918
Number (80) 1916 January 8, 1919
Number (81) 1916 January 23, 1919
Number (82) 1916 February 8, 1919
Number (83) 1916 February 22, 1919
Number (84) 1916 March 8, 1919
Number (85) 1916 March 23, 1919
Number (86) 1916 April 8, 1919
Number (87) 1916 | April 23, 1919
Number (88) 1916 ] May 8, 1919
Number (89) 1916 May 23, 1919
Number (90) 1916 June 8. 1919
Number (91) 1916 June 23, 1919
Number (92) 1916 July 8, 1919
Number (93) 1916 July 23, 1919
Number (94) 1916 August 8, 1919
Number (95) 1916 August 23, 1919
Number (96) 1916 September 8, 1919
Number (97) 1916 September 23, 1919
Number (98) 1916 November 30, 1918
Number (99) 1916 December 22, 1918
Number (100) 1916 I January 14, 1919
Number (101) 1916 | February 7, 1919
Number (102) 1916 I February 28, 1919
Number (103) 1916 I March 22, 1919
Number (104) *1916 | April 30, 1919
Number (105) 800 tons' 1916 | May 8, 1919
Number (106) 800 tons 1916 ! April 30, 1919
Number (107) 800 tons 1 1916 !
Number (109-145) (A) 1916
FUEL SHIPS
I
Cuvama (15) 1915 84.3 April 1, 1917
Number (16) 1916 j 0.0 No Estimate
TRANSPORTS
I I I
Henderson (1) 1 1913 | 86.7 I April 1, 1917
Number (2) 1 1916 j I
1
SUPPLY SHIPS
Bridge (1) 1913 ■ 87.3 June 1, 191T
HOSPITAL SHIP ! I
1 1
Number (1) 1 1916 i June 12, 1919
GUN BOAT
Number (21) j 1916 j 0.0 No Estimate
AMMUNITION SHIP
Number (1) ! 1916 I I No Estimate
j I I
The Regular Army
The following statement shows the authorized strength of the
Army and, the actual strength and the number of vacancies on
December 31, 1916. Complete returns for December have not been
received, but the figures given are based on the best data obtainable.
Authorized Actual
Arm or .Corps i Strength Strength Va.jancies
L—| ——-
Engineers I 2,198 I 2,089 j
Cavalry I 17,357 17,556 . 199
Meld Artillery I 7,881 ; 7,090 791
Infantry I 51,224 j 39,288 I 11,936
Coast Artillery | 21,423 18,748 | 2,675
Total line 100,083 84,771 15.312
I
Ret. parties and unassigned recruits 11.539 1 8,866 i 2,673
Quartermaster Corps I 8,000 6.863 2,137
Ordnance ' 1,241 741 500
Signal Corps ; 3,369 1,757 1,612
Medical Dept 6,614 6,203 | 411
Miscellaneous organs, (service school
detachments, prison guards, In
dian Scouts, etc.) 2,320 1,758 i 562
Total 133,166 ! 109,959 ( 23,207