New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-04
THE UNFINISHED RoN.CLADs.
III UNI ItNIIIIA1IJ Iit'Il'F NI|fUf''
Mr.. DAYARD THINKS HEY OUGHT To BE COMPLETED
SUGGESTIONS FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
TIL an .pu II, rur ruIurSu I

MR. BAYARD THINKS HEY OUGHT To BE COMPLETED
SUGGESTIONS FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
lBY TELEGRAPH IRIBUNE.l
washington, Feb. 3.-The lamentablc condition
of the American Navy has suddenly become a mat
ter of general study aud serious reflection Senator
Bayard presented to-day memorial from firm OF
shipDuiIders in Wilmington Del. asking Congress
TO take speedy action Of some kind with reference
to the double-lnrreted monitor Amphitrite now oc-
cupging valuable space in the shipysrd of the
memorlaIist. Work upon this vessel was stopped in
January, 1877, by order OF the Secretary of the
Navy in consequence OF the failure Of Congress to-
make an appropriation for the continuance Of the
work.
In presenting the memorial Senator Bayard made
a brief speech, saying that when in Europe last
Summer he had gwen the subject of naval ship
building some attention, and had personally in
spected some of the modern English irOn-clads.
When he viewed the strength, the power and the
apparent invulnerability Of these ships, very grave
apprebenslons were raised in his mind. 81 don't
know of anything said he, unless it be the tor
pedo defence, that is 10 prevent any one OF many
English naval vessels from steaming into any
American port and laying waste the great cities"
The Amphitrite be sand. Is one Of four vessels Of
the same class, and all are III similar state OF III
completeness owing to want of money.
II.
thoritles these vessels would be useful for barbor
defence although they might never be serviceable
as cruisers. He said he had in his possession the
descriptive details of the construction of tour iron
clads for the Italian Navy, any one of which could
Withstand the attack OF our whole Navy.
The Secretary of tho Navy recently wrote q letter
10 The House Committee Naval Affairs, in which
be said in regard to the four ironclads referred to
by Mr.. Bayard the Amphitrite, Monadnock. Puri-
tan and rerrorl:
desire now to m axe the following suggestions Al
these vessels are nearly ready for launching but the
work upon beon suspended for want Of funds
they now occupy buliding-sips 10 the Yards ci the
contractors which cannot be used by them Tor other
purposes. THIS Is, OF course, Injurious 70 the contrac
tors. depnves them OF the use OF these slips III the
prosecution OF tbelr work The question therefore
whether these vessels snail be COMPLETED or shall De
lo in then present Is submitted 10 Congress
Department which can be properly expended upon
eau do nothing more Than see that thew are
properly taken Of Here follow detailed estimates
Tor completion OF the four vessels. amounting 10
Tie .eoessity Of making appropriation to cover
the rstima involves inquiry INTO tue character Of
these vessels and their probable value for purposes
when mpeted. They designed To he equal 10 any
en- world Of their class ana IS believed that they
viii be So Tie upon mas for has been sat
sfaciorly performed materials are Of the best
reted and added 30 the plumber OF effective monitors
now hand we shall possess the means OF furnishing
complete protection 10 all our harDors aDd Giles The
large cost Of the vessels IL not 50 great as
that Of similar ones cOhhuucied Tor Euro
pean nayies. II IL not deemed eXpedient TO adopt
Inc heavy guns and arinOr the latter aud yet they viii
be 80 constructed that they safely car such as Will
enable them successfully attack tnHt may
he made upon them. aud the time possess all
necessary effectiveness III attacking adversary. They
WILL u completed AID materially 10 the effectiveness OF
thr Navy; but left IA their present condition tneIr
value viii constantly deteOrate, and IN the end they
will become an entire loss.
Replying the further request OF the sub-commit-
tee to be informed whether any Board Of Survey had
been held upon either of these vessels. the Secre-
tary said
have the honor 10 state that two boards OF survey
were held the Puritan. The reports or th'sf
r. ards con taiBing the notifications recOmmendedwtre
communicated the Committee Naval Affairs OF tue
Jouse OF Representatives Apr Is. 1873. The report
tnaae Naval Constructor Lrnthal aud Chief Engineer
Tsue at the request OF that Committee, was also
IT JuDe IS. 1873 The other vessels have
NOT been surveyed DY BOdrde, although an examination
Vas made of tue MOnadnOck by Naval Constructor
81 the Marc leland Navy Yard but mat examination
mad reference only the claim or the contractor Tor
damages on account Of suspension OF work etc.
Certan mOdficatiO having been Bnde ~ the
M nntoDonoh ihe Department cOntemplates making
ones in the other vessels OF her class The cost
~ tbess modihca for each vessel viii be about
9O 600 As TIE OF work has decreased rOm 80 TO
90 r cent Ia materials and about - per cent ~ labor
- H. ,,of suupOged that these vessels can be finished
al tc prce contracted for Maren g. 1877 and the cost
ri work viii be sfI further increased Nv tie subsu
Inn Of combination OF sieel and iron IN place OF iron
nr side aror and Tor turrrts IL Is suggested that the
for the nus Of these vessels be increased
ta n suu suficient 10 complete them WIN all recent
ready for The amount required Tor
fhis purpoFe can be asceTtai ed Ia few weess.
AFRAID OF HE UTES
w .eu,,,oroD Eah 9-The members Of the Colo