PENSACOLA, mother-in-law of Naval Aeronautics (more than 250 girls have gone out in wedlock from this "port of perpetual prosperity"), has had a most amazing history. It is one of the few cities of this country which have been under five flags-Spanish, English, French, Confederate, and the Stars and Stripes. Many and varied vicissitudes, starting from a settlement alleged to have been made before St. Augustine was founded, include an early and complete wiping out either by hurricane or hostile Indians and colorful occupation by General Jackson. He threatened a United States judge, suspended habeas corpus proceedings, insulted a Spanish Governor, and almost brought on a war with that government in 1819.
Pensacola's situation on the Gulf is unique, as its 200 feet elevation is the highest of any seaport between Charleston and Texas; it also lies in the hurricane path and severe storms have ravaged it about every ten years, some of terrible intensity. The Navy is really the most important industry of the city and millions of navy money are spent annually in payrolls and supplies. There is also a small Coast Artillery post at Fort Barrancas which adds color to the dolce far nientel life of the inhabitants. Pensacola used to be an important port of call of merchant ships and the old Navy; there is hardly a high ranking officer who does not remember the boundless hospitality of the old Osceola Club (now belonging to the Elks) and the "liberty party" troubles on the old water front.
With the advent of naval aeronautics, Pensacola came into prominence, for up to that time it was merely an obsolete yard where wooden naval ships had been built and repaired, as lumber and labor were plentiful and cheap. The first class of 9 aviators reported for duty in 1913 and there were but 4 planes to train them. These old-fashioned "boats" were largely made of wood and bamboo, and had wings of treated silk; they were very crude affairs and looked much like the pictures of the Wright brothers' early planes. The yard gradually expanded and at the beginning of 1917 forty-nine aviators had graduated from the school.
The World War made the Pensacola Station a beehive of activity. During the period of hostilities 873 aviators were turned out, also 63 dirigible pilots and 15 balloon pilots.
The flu took a heavy toll of combatants and noncombatants alike and at its height in 1918 nurses and medical aid could not be easily procured and many died. After demobilization, aviation was not neglected and Pensacola started to expand in earnest. New flying fields for land planes were provided, new buildings were built, and the greatest and most ambitious dreams of the early fliers were realized as they came back to take command and direct training. A very modest beginning in training cadet aviators (graduates from colleges and schools other than the Naval Academy) has expanded .into huge proportions so that now over 400 cadets fly with a daily average of 230 planes in operation. The course is considered the most thorough of all naval aviation schools and includes flying land planes as well as flying boats. The very high requirements necessitate many heartaches to those who cannot make their "wings," as a large percentage of the yearly admitted candidates do not graduate. The course takes about a year and there are three classes under instruction: naval officers, cadets, and enlisted personnel. There are also observation courses and tactical studies. Ground school is stressed so heavily that those who have taken the course and do not stay in the Navy are in demand by the commercial aviation companies because of the excellence of training they have received. There are also practical exercises in navigation and handling of ships and there are complete target ranges for machine guns, rifles, and pistols. The extracurricular activities include a driving golf range, a stable of good horses, polo, football, baseball, small yacht racing, fishing (which is excellent), tennis, soft ball, and swimming which in the Gulf is most enjoyable. The social activities are tireless and three clubs vie with each other in entertaining. The ladies are organized in Navy Relief, Grey Ladies, and Navy Aid societies. Of late Years a colorful carnival has been held in the old "blimp" hangar (there are no lighter-than-air activities at Pensacola any longer) and each year a large donation has been sent to Navy Relief as a result of the large attendance and great number of attractions, which entail months of the hardest kind of organization and labor. A horse show and gymkhana has been substituted for this annual event during the last two years to the great delight of lovers of riding.
No picture of this many-sided community would be complete without mention of the beautiful physical location, one of the loveliest imaginable, the excellent climate (which allows an average of 340 flying days a year), and the unusually pure water. The temperature ranges from extreme heat for a few days in midsummer to a few days of frost in midwinter but the average is excellent- 60 to 85 degrees and children thrive on the white beaches in equable climate. "The proof of the pudding is the eating thereof" is a good old adage, and were a poll to be taken of those who have been stationed in Pensacola, the numbers of those anxious to repeat their term of duty would undoubtedly be very large. At present the most recent class undergoing training numbers 107 and the records show that a total of 3, 788 aviators, 63 dirigible and 15 balloon pilots have completed the course. In the event of any future hostilities this great center of naval aeronautical knowledge will play an important part in the training and perfecting of naval flying, and its importance to the cause of preparedness cannot be overestimated.
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A GENERAL AT SEA
Rear Admiral Samuel Powhatan Carter won the unique distinction of being the only officer in American history to rise to the rank of rear admiral in the Navy and major general in the Army. He was one of the first class to be graduated from the old Naval School, standing No. 11 in the Register of the U.S.N.A. Graduates' Association. When the Civil War broke out he offered his services to Lincoln as an Army officer to assist in saving his native state of Tennessee for the Union. Before the close of the war he rose to the rank of major general, and at its close returned to the naval service where he rose to the rank of rear admiral. He served several tours of duty at the Naval Academy, once as Commandant of Midshipmen.