CHAPTER 58 SUBMARINE SERVICE-AVIATION SERVICENAVAL RESERVE-NAVAL TRAINING COURSES-DUTIES OF A PETTY OFFICERDISPOSITION OF EFFECTS OF DESERTERS, DECEASED MEN, AND MEN GOING ON LEAVE SUBMARINE SERVICE This branch of the Navy has become a most important arm of the fleet. During the last war the submarine played a valuable part. From a small, frail craft the submarine has developed into a formidable fighting ship. The latest type, the V boats, are as long as destroyers, have a crew of about 80 men, and, in addition to their 21-inch torpedoes, they carry a 4-inch gun. They can make a speed of 18 knots on the surface and about 8 knots submerged. The next smaller type, the S boats, mount a 4-inch gun, are about 230 feet long, and are manned by a crew of about 42 men. Besides those on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, there are submarines at Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Honolulu, and Cavite, P. I. For the training of the men in this service there is a submarine school at New London, Conn. This school offers special instruction in submarines, which includes courses in Diesel engines, radio, electricity, and sound. While in this service enlisted men receive additional compensation of $5 a month. Furthermore, if a man 48406-28- -60 937 "qualifies" he is entitled to a dollar for every dive that is made, up to and including 15 dives a month. However, only one pay dive can be made in a day. As a submarine must make 90 submerged hours a year, opportunity is afforded for each qualified man to earn $15 additional a month. To "qualify" as a submarine man certain requirements must be fulfilled. He must have served at least six months on submarines. Before presenting himself for examination the candidate must submit a notebook. This book must contain all data specified by Submarine Instructions. The examination is an oral and practical one. It consists in going through the boat and operating all apparatus in the boat and answering any questions pertaining to the same. commissioned officer conducts the examination. A On a submarine a wonderful opportunity is afforded for getting much practical knowledge of electricity, particularly in regard to storage batteries. These batteries are the largest of their kind found anywhere to-day. Nearly all apparatus is electrically operated, including the main motors for underwater propulsion, steering and diving rudders, gyro compass, pumps, galley range, and anchor gear. A submarine also is the best place in the Navy for obtaining valuable experience with Diesel engines, which are used for its motive power on the surface. This type of internalcombustion engine is becoming prevalent in the merchant marine service and in many of our shore radio stations. AVIATION DUTY Aviation duty in the Navy provides one of the most fascinating and instructive service careers that an enlisted man can have. Aviation activities are carried on both in the fleet and ashore. As a large part of the work must be done ashore, this provides for changes of station, with a goodly portion of shore duty. Aviation units are to be found on both coasts of the United States, in Panama, Hawaii, and wherever else the ships of the fleet may be. Enlisted men are trained as pilots at the naval air station, Pensacola. Here they are given a thorough and comprehensive course of flight training. Those who do not receive this flight training get thorough instruction in the upkeep and overhaul of all kinds of airplanes, including power plants and accessories. Some men specialize in certain branches, such as ignition, carburetion, instruments, and machine guns. Many opportunities are offered for flights on the part of enlisted men, whether they are pilots or members of a plane crew. Aviation pilots and such members of plane's crew as are designated for flight orders receive in addition to their regular pay an increase of 50 per cent of base pay. Pilots are of three classes-naval aviation pilot, aviation pilot, first class, and chief aviation pilot. The last two are ratings. An enlisted man who has completed the full course of training for a naval aviation pilot at Pensacola and is recommended to the Bureau of Navigation for the designation of "naval aviation pilot" by the commandant, naval air station, Pensacola, is placed on the eligibility list in the Bureau of Navigation. As soon as he has flown alone not less than 75 hours in heavierthan-air craft and has flown in heavier-than-air craft a total of not less than 200 hours during his naval service, and when recommended by his commanding officer, he will be designated by the Bureau of Navigation as a "naval aviation pilot." |