The platform drops into
the sea, and the seaplane proceeds on its course through the air.
[Illustration: _Copyright by Committee on Public Information_. SCENE AT
AN AVIATION STATION SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA, SHOWING FIFTEEN SEAPLANES ON
BEACH DEPARTING AND ARRIVING.]
The progress of the navy was so great in arranging for the home
coast-defense aerial service that Secretary Daniels agreed to establish
air coast-patrol stations in Europe, and it was not long before our
naval aviators were rendering signal service both along the French and
the British coasts. There is the understanding that the United States
has already taken the lead in naval aviation, not in quantity, to be
sure, but in quality and efficiency, as to which the presence of foreign
experts studying our new improvements may be regarded as confirmatory
evidence.
The Navy Department now has an aircraft factory of its own at
Philadelphia, and there flying-boats are now being turned out. Also,
five private plants throughout the country are working on navy aircraft
exclusively.
The Aircraft Board, which succeeded the Aircraft Production Board, is
made up in three parts: a third from the navy, a third from the army,
and a third civilian. This board is under the joint direction of the
Secretaries of War and the Navy.
The naval flying-schools are located at Pensacola, Fla., Miami, Fla.,
Hampton Roads, Va., Bay Shore, L.I., and San Diego, Cal. Some of the
aviators are drawn from the regular naval forces, but the great majority
are of the reserves, young men from civil life, college men and the
like, who have the physical qualifications and the nerve to fly and
fight above tumultuous waters.
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