The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-03
SUPREMACY ON THE SEAS.
The British and American Steam Navies.
10 TILE EDITOR oE TIE NEW YORK HERALD.

The British and American Steam NavIes.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
In the year 1874, when in England, and made it
my special business to learn something of the actual
siton of the British navy there was but one ship Of
war in il fitted with screw propeller. She was ex-
permenta soop, called the Rather and such was her
that snce ls47 eli the ships ordered to DO
built for the navy have been designed as screw ships"
UNITED Service Journal, Oct 1851 10 addition to this
policy the sailing ships under construction have been
verted ships fast they wanted "and
this year. 1885, has witnessed the order for the
sion ships Of the last three sailing shiys build
ing, viz-be Royal Frederick, Windsor Castle and Mar
cissus The Barracoua launched in 1851 is the las. pad
die wheel steamer built for the navy and ia very pro-
bable that few years viii witness the extinction Of
sailing ship and paddle wheel steamers from the navy
hst"-IItidl This wise policy OF the British Admiralty
adopted early 1850 and vigorously carried out
to its completion in 1859 No sailing ships Of any
ordered since 1885, those hand
vsrted into screws suffered TO out, and their
pieces on the navy list filed by ships of the same
class. upt as Shall show, England possesses
feet Of mighty power admirably adapted the pur
poses of war; whether aggressive defensive. The
version Of the old sailing ships INTO been re
serted 70 extensively economy, and 10 the
power Of the steam feet and II has done effectively
Of the largest and finest of the three deckers the
Duke Of Wellington laid down in 1874, the Royal
Albert sailing ship, and one Of toe first alterations,
conversions rather Of the sail ship to the screw and
building, If my memory is accurate in an
adjscen. slip to the Royal Frederick, just
stated 10 be in OF conversion 10 screw
is known thu. the effective ships In the Baltic feet
in the Russian the block snips-old fashioned
line OF battle ships converted into "ihe small
screw block ships found most servicelbe IN the
Baltic ~ s Journal 1857 and so in the Black Sea The
pa-a- Hrct hpir he frat
built line Of battle ship, and the last converted
sailing shphaving been the only two ships of the lie
the whole feet which could be laid against the forts at
Sebastopol" a. s. j., 1889 from their easy dranght Of
All subsequent experience has proven this policy
Of converting the sailing war into screw ships 70
have been vice and 1t has been steadily followed
the present time with knowing perseverance, and we
should profit by the experience.
II s confessed by professional men in England that hs
conversion of the so gun sailing ships the Colossus
(and her Glass; into shrs has succeeded wen
at is hoped Sir Bald win Walker will complete the task
not long SINCE Of asking clever Captain OF the Power
erfu-a sister ship to the Coingwood (and our North
Carolna)-wba the result Of this conversion had BEEN
y the engine and propeller incommoded them mucnS
Excellent, was his reply improved the ships every
respect Of war" Aud such is the necessary re.
SUIT These ships constitute the main fleet both at
home and abroad and sail and steam well generally and
equipped and sailed with great comparative economy
| II is powerful force, expedtousy and cheaply i'm
provsed since the year ls47. when this naval
policy was adopted by the British Admiralty
we have rebuilt and repaired Of them more tn an
once-a the soops, oorvetes and frgaies OF navy
part. One Of Them St LOUIS sailed from this port
short time since; and when the stocks this once
clever ship looked for all the world Ike modern
water tank than modern man Of war. Another the
Savannah hes harbor bound San juan unable to get
out until steamer comes Once frigate che but re.
Gently converted into corvette after the fashion OF
raj others Of her class If the English policy had also
governed counses it is easy the cost
would have sufced to build up by this time screv
steam feet Of five thirty effective ships OF war
irrespective OF the ships Of the line modern screw
inc hpt 4 hyvnp lonx
TO begn-the Congress has just been finished her old
lines, whilst ner sister ship England, the Narcissus fri
gate Is beng converted into modern ship of wa-
Other sailing ships are lying in our dockyards the
return from service. We abandon them entirely or
repair and rebuild them; never again. hope as sailing
SHIPS only Tor the fact cannot be disguised that
snip OF war without the aid Of steam is henceforsh but
deusion and q snare-a naval mantrap.
would be understood in recommending this policy
at this late day for the time is proptous We can
reap the experience OF older naval Powers avoid the
errors they have paid for and abandoned Thus all shos
on the stocks or which require to be rebuilt extensive
y repaired should be converted screw shps of thu
most approved construction all those which require
moderate repairs should have bows after bodies
adapted to the built 10 them those which REQUIRE
very slight repairs none should have the screw applied
10 them, TO be driven by the moderate steam power
which they could carry with the least practicable change
IN decks, armament and mastiag Our existing sh ps
would thus be, BY easy transition converted power
ul and effective auxiliary steam feet equal TO any
service; whilst the ships, built and In conte.
piaton, would have the speed and power combined The
variety would give strength TO both have SEEN and
snail see further has actually been the case In the
Britisb navy.
The British steam navy stands thus at this date
Admiral Sir Baldwin ". Walker is the present Surveyor
of the Navy, successor Of Captain Symonds R. NJ The
plans and designs for shps Of conaded 10 this
officer under the direction of the Admiralty
SCREW STEAM LINE OF BATTLE SHIPS OF TWO Up