The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-22
HEAVY ARMOR AND BIG GUNS.
Secretary Hsbeson's Idens About Them-
The Nnvles Of the Future.

OF the Navy.
Your attention is again respectfully
and earnestly called 10 the Importance
of building more vessels of medium size.
that the proper number OF vessels NAV
be kept in our squadrons on foreign sta
tons. New and improved vessels are
required to take the place of those worn
out. The protection of our commerce
and our citizens abroad and the main.
tenance of our friendly relations with
other nations require more vessels.
AS it is not probable that our navy
will ever engage foreign foe in line Of
battle in mid ocean, it will not be the
interest of our Government to follow too
closely the policy of other nations in
building large and costly iron-clad
vessels Of war neither is it advisable TO
follow the exact form of vessels armor.
built, or the ideas of persons of doubt
full authority in naval architecture; but
with well-established general principles
we should strike for an advance in the
mechanical parts and take the lead in
a new type of vessels, as has been done
in times past, keeping in view the all
important points of speed under steam,
handiness, heavy and effective battery
and steady platform, the indispensable
qualities of good fighting ship.
The salvation of our country does not
depend upon having the largest and
most powerful navy in the world, for
our geographical position or natural re-
sources does not require it. We are not
located within short and easy sail of
any powerful nation, and we have with.
in our own territory abundant supplies
OF food and clothing, with the luxuries
Of life of our people, consequently we
can live within ourselves. But having
commercial and social relations abroad
we are morally bound to protect them.
While England is expanding enor
nous sums of money in building large
and powerful iron .clads for the purpose
of maintaining the supremacy of the
high seas, which seems to be her only
protection to life as a nation, we have
not so much as collected the materials
for building one for number of years
past. Until circumstances change, we
can allow other nations to experiment
at "A great cost in building these large
iron.srmed vessels and fully investigate
the subject of iron-clads versus artillery,
so as 10 determine which have the adj
vantage, before we need TO spend money
in the matter ourselves. The discussion
of the subject by scientific and able
gentlemen, some of whom recommend
that no more iron.armed vessels be built
in the future, for the reason that ord.
nance can be made which will penetrate
any thickness of plate that can be float.
ed, while Others Of great authority
maintain with more truth that vessels
can be designed which will carry armor
of much greater thickness than has ever
been penetrated, has shown that we
have not lost much by delay in building
iron .clads, and also that most of those
already built are OF very little service to
any nation against more modern
navy.
Another very important implement
of naval warfare is attracting the atten.
ton of naval architects and scientific
gentlemen of high authority, viz. /: the
subaqueous torpedo. Experiments seem
10 warrant the belief that the torpedo
is to become terrible engine of naval
warfare in the future, aud much has
been given to the subject of warding off
attacks with this powerful means. That
topedo can be put under vessel of
less speed than a torpedo boat and there
exploded admits of little doubt, az the
mechanical genius of our country has
SO far progressed in the propulsion and
command over the torpedo rs to war.
rant its success and when the fact is
established beyond doubt, and the
terrible effect becomes well known, the
question Of building iron.clads for sea
service will be easily solved.
But whether the torpedo is or is not a
successful agent does not affect the all.
important subject OF building cruising
vessels, so much needed for the navy of
this country. The class Of vessels want.
ed most are those of medium size, cor.
vettes, with full steam power, carrying
batteries Of from eight to Swelve guns
each, of large caliber, and having all the
modern improvements. The steam
power should be sufficient TO propel the
vessel, under favorable circumstances,
at the rate of fifteen knots an hour,
compromising, if necessary, in the mum.
Der of guns, sail power and other minor
points of less consequence for speed.
Speed under steam, hardness and a
powerful battery are the important
fighting properties OF successful naval
| marine.