Fitting out the U.S.S. North Carolina at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, N.Y., May, 1941.

The United States didn’t enter World War II until after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, but we were preparing for war before that. “U.S. Sea Strength Steadily Grown, but  ‘Two-Ocean Navy’ Is Four Years Away” by Milton Bronner, NEA Service Staff Correspondent, as published in the Thursday, May 1, 1941, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News.

Shipyards Speed Work as U.S. Fleet Steams Nearer to ‘Battle of Atlantic’

Washington—As American warships assume their peril-fraught roles of “interested bystanders” in the Battle of the Atlantic, the projected two-ocean U.S. Navy is estimated here to be foure years away from completion.

Though, thanks to appropriation bills passed prior to the present emergency, vessels steadily are being added to the U.S. fighting forces, it will be well into 1045 before this country can boast of the huge super navy now deemed necessary for full protection of both coasts.

Nevertheless naval authorities are pleased by the way in which the shipyards are cutting construction time. Workmen in the U.S. Navy yards as well as in yards owned by private concerns are driving steadily ahead as fast as the material is delivered.

A good example is the 1650-ton destroyer Edison, now in commission.

This vessel was constructed in 10 months. Some years ago the regular period of construction was 31 months. This now has been slashed until the average if 15 months.

New Battleships Are Welcome Additions

The two most welcome additions to the navy of course are the battleships North Carolina and Washington, the first completed since 1921. They both are 35,000 ton vessels. Their main armament is 16-inch guns, mounted in three turrets, three per turret. They also carry a heavy battery of anti-aircraft and secondary broadside guns. They are propelled by turbines developing 115,000 horsepower from oil-fired boilers and giving a speed of 27 knots. Each is equipped to carry three planes.

A further report on the progress of the navy to date:

Keels of battleships Alabama, Iowa and New Jersey were laid last year and of the Missouri and Wisconsin early in 1941. The big aircraft carrier Hornet was launched at Newport News, Va., last December 14. In the latter part of 1941, keels were laid for the cruisers Atlanta, Juneau, San Diego, San Juan, Cleveland, Columbia, Montpelier and Denver.

Submarines launched in the latter part of 1940 were the Marlin, Grampus, Grayback, Grenadier,Grayling and Gudgeon. Keels were laid for the submarines Gato, Greenling, Grouper, Drum, Flying Fish, Silverside and Trigger.

Destroyers which were launched were the Meredith, Grayson, Monssen, Woolsey, Ludlow, Nicholson, Wilkes, Swanson and Ingraham. The Ericsson was completed and placed in commission. In addition, in 1940 keels were laid for nine more destroyers and already in 1941 keels have been laid for five.

Destroyers are expected to play particularly important parts in the Navy’s newly announced patrol of a broadened Atlantic “safety zone.”

Destroyer Force Will Be Best in World

Keels have been laid for nine coastal minesweepers. The repair ship Vulcan has launched last December, as was the submarine tender Fulton. In the latter part of 1940, six submarine chasers were launched and keels were laid for four seaplane tenders and one mine layer. In the latter part of 1940, one motor torpedo boat was commissioned, four were launched and keels were laid for seven more.

Senator Walsh of Massachusetts, chairman of the Senate Naval Committee, has revealed that 17 more destroyers will be completed this year, 45 in 1942, 86 in 1943, 52 in 1944 and 5 in 1945, making a total of 204. This will be the strongest and biggest modern destroyer force in the world.

By the time these are completed the two-ocean navy also is scheduled to be well on the way to the finish with completion of 17 battleships, 112 aircraft carriers, 14 heavy cruisers, 40 light cruisers and 80 submarines.

Small Craft Also Under Construction

In the present European war Germany, for offensive purposes, and Great Britain, for defensive purposes, are both supposed to have built great numbers of small craft. The United States will not be far behind when the naval program of 1940 gets into full swing.

Among those for which contracts have already been let or will shortly be let are 36 165-foot submarine chasers, 30 110-foot submarine chasers, 24 torpedo boats, 18 165-foot mine sweepers, 32 fleet mine sweepers and 13 coastal mine sweepers.

The Germans are reported to have built a special type of small ship for a possible attempt to invade Great Britain. In this category, the United States Navy will not be behind. $3,240,000 has been appropriated for 200 vessels known as “amphibian tractors.” They are small vessels capable of going through deep water and of getting along in shallow water. They are designed particularly to carry and land marines on sea coasts. Contracts for these vessels were let last February 17.