The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-12-06
THE NAVY

An.s"l Rspsrs Of sscrss.ry Rebesea-Im
E fSsitsSs 1e q +: IS N:Snsi's' Concerning The
Important recommendation concerning the
efficiency OF the navy are made in the report
OF Secretary Robson, predicated in part upon
the reports OF the chiefs Of bureaus OF that
department. 1t has been found that more
money has often been spent in the repair Of
old vessels, as authorized by Congress, than
would serve in the construction of new ones
OF greater strength and improved model and
appurtenancee. As an instance OF this, the
Pensacola cost 1926, 600, and the repairs more
than twice as much, namely, $3.50, 900. As TO
the other vessels Of the navy, including the
Guerrero. Nevada. Iowa. and Vanderbilt. to
put them into thoroughly good condition
would require an amount Of money far ex-
ceeding their original cost. Their timbers are
much decayed, the ships having been built Of
unsound white oak. The necessities of the
situation, however, have required expendi.
lures upon them to meet emergencies with
permanent benefit. Congress at the late
session authorized the Secretary of the Navy
to sell the WORKOUT vessels and useless mate
nal at the several navy-yards. 1t is known
that there are such accumulations there which
originally cost millions of dollars, and which
were for the most part never applied to prae.
teal purposes. Several of the WORKOUT YES
sells are soon to be sold ut auction. and Others
Of like character will be afterward offered to
the highest bidders. The opinion Of naval
officers is hat there should be at least twenty
good active steam vessels always in condition
to be Immediately used.
About a year ago, when there was such an
excitement at Havana ~ to induce tho Consul
General ut that city to telegraph our Govern
ment to send vessels thither for the protection
OF American citizens, 1t was difficult to I'M
mediately find vessels suitable for such an
emergency, and the Secretary was therefore
nhliuad IN liaoafch n N iropc1a1 from Kew
West, together with four other vessels, not OF
formidable proportions, to that locality.
Spain, at the tune to which reference Is made,
had ~ vessels in the gulf and in the vicinity
OF the Island Of Cuba. Our vessels. owing 10
this disparity Of force, would have been I'M
able to contend with those of Spain in case oil
hostile movements on her part.
The Chief Of the Bureau Of Construction
and Repairs will, 1t 10 understood, recommend
that compound engines be placed in all oul
vessels, bothsast to economy of fuel and increase
Of speed, and that he will support his vlews,
by careful argument. 1t has been ascertainea
frem naval officers that not more than ~ OF
the 81 ironclad vessels can be rendered use'
full for naval purposes. Therefore the Gov
ernment will dispose Of the remainder Of them.
The 20 light-draft monitors built during the
war at q cost Of $15, 00O, 900 never fired . gun,
not having been called into active service. a
bill is now pending before the House OF Repre-
sentatives appropriating $4,000 900 for build
ing ten sloops Of war.
In view OF the facts concerning the m
efficiency Of the navy, efforts will made at the
approaching session Of Congress to completely.
reorganize 1t. A part Of Secretary Robesons
report is devoted to this subject, and be re,
peats the recommendation IN his last annual
report to supply the places Of vessels winch
have become useless with those Of good anu
sound construction, and urge that unless
something il done in this direction our cruis,
ing navy. now by no means powerful, Indeeu
scarcely respectable for o nation Of our ram
and responsibilities, will soon almost whony
pass out Of existence as an arm of the nations'
power.