The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 73

THE war at sea having taken its grim toll of His Majesty's fleet, the United States today has the greatest navy afloat. Our fleet is the largest, the fastest, the most modern and the best equipped in the world. And its going to be even better before it gets any worse. The U. S.

Navy, steeped in a hallowed tradition, is the only fleet with a perfect record of victories. None of our heroes have surrendered at sea. There was Barry, wild Irish father of the fleet; Jones, who just began to fight when his mainmast fell through the poop; Farragut, vigorously damning the torpedoes that cut through his gun'ales; Dewey at Manila; Hobson at Santiago they were the men who kept the tradition alive. The Navy marks Navy Day, 1941, as a unit strong enough to carry through the tradition, big enough to turn back any threats to the nation. Here is our numerical strength: Battleships-32 Aircraft carriers-18 Cruisers 01 Destroyers 365 Submarines 1 85 Total-691 The figures, of course, are incomplete.

Since they were issued by the Navy Department, a score of new ships have been built. They prove, however, that Uncle Sam is ready again ready for anything. mm- .3 1 U.S.S. Indianapolis, heavy cruiser of Portland class, has men. It displacement of 9950 tons, compliment of 581 officers and guns.

There are five airplanes and two catapults. 1 1 i i i i i -1 i P.yxl U.S.S. Nw Mexico, one of three ships in her class, was built in 1917 and is today 33,400 tons, carries 1323 officers and men, mounts substantially the same (runs among the largest of our first line fighting ships. She has a displacement of as the New York, with two more 14-inch 50 calibre guns. 79 i i.