National Republican., 1882-12-29
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS.
To Nc EdifDr.


II has become the fashion during he past few
years tosay that the navy has no naval construc-
tors competent for tho work to he performed
and that since the death of John Lenthal the
navy has none whose opinion is worth having.
| have great respect for the memory of Mr.
Lenthal rs Il very dear friend, and | think
fully appreciate his services to the govern
mcnt. Vet so far as fitness goes / think the
naval constructors Of to-day are moro COM
pctcnt than Mr.. Lenthal ever was for the
work to he performed. Mr. Lcnthal had no
instruction in iron shpbuildng any more
than any other officer Of the navy has to-day
or so much for NO long rs he remained lii the
navy, and ever aitCrwaId during all his life,
he pcrsistently fought against the introduce
tion of iron or steel ships, and when he was
placed upon the advisory board as the leading
member, the plans which he proposed were not
such as it would be for the best interest of the
navy to follow In fact his plans cannot be
recommended for the new navy.
When Secretary Thompson called for de-
signs for cruising ships every naval con-
structor who WAS situated so that he could
do it sent in plans of ships TO be built of iron
or steel which Will compare favOraby with
those of any navy, and it shows that they
were all prepared for tho work on hand.
To-day they are well prepared to do any
WORK which may be given them to do, either
in Steel iron, or wood, as well prepared az
are any officers in our own navy, aud in MANS
respects better, because they are mechanics
and sons of mechanics in every instance, and
as such they are better acquainted with the
working OF any material, wheCher of wood or
iron, than any other branch of the service.
They are also acquainted with the routine
of work and the organization of labor to bring
about the best results Such being the case
it is to be hoped that the system of harping
against this valuable corps of officers may
/ cease.
The fact is, that the material of which the
new ships were TO be built was question
until veIy lately; now, no one in his senses
doubts about the quality and kind of materials
which are to be used.
1t only remains to change our building
yards into iron and steel shipbuilding, which
can be done with moderate expense, in such
navy yards as may from location or otherwise
be best adapted for the work
The plant required is not so expensive as
some persons would lead us to believe and
when it is settled what kind of ships are to be
/ built and it seems to be that the ordinary
cruising snip is all that is required ut present.
Any navy yard as ut present. conducted i'll the
construction department will only require u
few additional tools to 60 on with the
work. The only Trouble there would
| he is in the system of labor. The labor
to be selected under the naval constructors
ut the navy yards should be just as free as it
is at any private shipyard-that is, they
should have the selection and appointment OF
| such men as they may want to do the work. III
this is permitted, | liavo no fear but that their
work would be done DIS rapidly and as ef.
ticicntly as it would be in any private ship
yard. And when the plan is introduced ol
rating mems pay by the quality and The
amount of work TO be performed, and the same
class of men work for the government as work
for private ship builders, subject TO the same
condition of employment aud discharge with
out nterlerenoe, all the difficulties will vanish
The fact is, the naval constructors as body
have been long suffering and obedient as d
class, with but few exceptions, and have
worked against many obstacles to maintain
themselves and inform themselves of the needs
of the navy. And all they ask of the public
is fair trial when the work is to be per
| formed. SAMUEL III. PooK,
Naval Constructor, U. ). N.