New Technology To Be on Liberty Ships
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The War Department yesterday announced successful testing of a helicopter’s ability to take off from and land on the deck of a merchant ship. Helicopters are a new aircraft technology that allow vertical take-offs and landings, thus eliminating the need for an airstrip. This technology will soon be equipped on Liberty ships to provide an anti-submarine weapon to vital to convoys. Rear Admiral Howard L. Vickery indicated a small deck will be installed on Liberty ships to “…permit helicopters to be used at sea, thus giving ships added protection from submarines.” Vickery is vice chairman of the Maritime Commission and deputy war administrator. The announcement by the War Department contradicts recent statements by Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox indicating the range and load capacity of helicopters is too limiting to be useful as an anti-submarine weapon.
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