| The Chatham Naval Air Station was one of six combination seaplane/ blimp facilities built along our Atlantic coast during World War One. Its mission was to protect shipping and the local fishing fleets from any enemy submarines trying to penetrate the approaches to either Boston Harbor or Nantucket Sound. | ||
| At the time of the armistice, the station had nearly reached its full potential. The total complement mustered on November 11, 1918, was 41 officers and 398 men. They were staffing and maintaining more than 45 diverse buildings while operating 12 seaplanes, 1 blimp and 3 kite balloons. | ||
| To accomplish its objectives, the air station was initially allocated a few semi-obsolete Curtiss R-9's but soon these were replaced with the more reliable HS-flying boats. In addition, some lighter-than-air units were also added. Slowly, but surely, NAS Chatham developed into a major cog in the Navy's network of coastal patrol bases situated on the eastern seaboard. |
