The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-06
The New Navy Proposed by Lieutenant
Commander Gorringe.

II Is stated by Lieutenant Commander
Gorringe that in the five years lSio- ~,
inclusive. the United States spent on their
navy annually an average sum OF Siv, 1856
239, while during the same period itaiy
spent but SS,2l4,5IS. Yet while we nave
nothing to show for our expenditure, Italy
has added so materially to her naval strength
that she to-day ranks third with England
and France rs maritime Power. our
scale Of expenditure Is amply sufficient
TO have given us respectable posi-
ton among the naval powers OF the
world, whereas in fact we have no stand
ing at all. There has been an enor-
nous waste Of money, which Is explained
by Commander Gorringe rs due partly 10
the complex and cumbrous organization OF
the naval administration, which prevents
speedy, economical, and intelligent action
in the repair or construction OF vesseis !;
partly to the inetiiciency OF employees III
the navy-yards, selected with view 10
politics. and also in part to the absurd
maintenance in European waters OF Il
squadron costing the large sum OF Si,OOO,-
600 annually, doing nothing, and beng
damaged i'm morale by the dissipa-
tions OF foreign capitals. No small
part OF Italy's advantage was secured
had cheapest, or by making them OF steel
bought in the most favorable market, no
matter where that was. OF this advantage
we cannot avail ourselves. The estimate
is made that the English navy now aiioat
has cost some $3.50, 100000 to build, ana
that the United States, il il would compete
with Great Britain on equal terms III hght
af sea. must spend, owing TO the enhanc-
] n L. IL. ntfI lI I.
S500. 00O. 600. This is not TO be thought OF.
| Hence Commander GOrringc, discardlng
the recommendations OF the advisory
board for the construction OF fleet OF
wood and steel "iast cruisers" advises the
creation Of a number OF steel vessels,
armed with but few guns, but OF prodi-
gious speed. TO prey, in case OF war, upon
the enemy's commerce, and run away from
his ships Of war. Another class Of vessels
is recommended alsO-smal rams for har-
bor defence. Possession Of the sea Is con-
ceded to Powers inferior TO the United
States in population and resources, Dui
surpassing us in the efficiency OF
their naval administration. While win
! planted torpedoes ana small
rams we hold the approaches 10 our
coast the fast vessels constructed on Tor
ringe's plan win, il is thought, bring any
nation with which we may be at war
England. for eXample-to terms by chasing
and destroying some part OF her immense
merchant marine. What England's ubiqui-
tous ships OF war and fast vessels, engaged
| i'm commerce, but easily armed for chance
encounters, would be doing IN the lneall-
while, is not explained. The probability
is that Commander Gorringe's vessels,
however "prodigious their speed,
could not, for want OF coaling stations
abroad, do much chasing OF British ships
outside the limits Of the North Atlantic,
which is precisely the part of the ocean The
English would find it easiest to police with
their unapproachable iron-clads. As for
Spain and Chill, the only other Powers
with which it is probable we would come
in conflict, they have but little commerce to
give occupation TO the proposed commerce
! destroyers, but possess number OF iron
clads at sight Of which our piratical navy
would always have to scamper.
| Sltu