New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-08
HOUSE NAVAL COMMITTEE REPORT.

WASHINGTON, March 7.-Representative Har-
ris, chairman of the House Committee Naval Affairs,
has completed his report the bill recently submitted
to the House for the construction of vessels for
the Navy The report says The defence for the har-
bors and the great of Is found in four
teen light monitors carrying twentyeight smoothbore,
breech-loading guns and experimental tor
pedo boat with one gun. We nave thirty
seven cruising vessels Of war, most OF
which are antiquated and Of WOOD carrying 357 guns OF
all calibres, of which only sixtytwo are rifles and none
of which is of high power breechloading Statements
and tables are added giving the relative strength Of
the various foreign naves. The report then says: in
view OF the facts thus presented, the committee feel
that the time for wise and energetic action has come
The work OF reconstruction must he begun and pushed
with vigor in order that vessels, properly armed,
may be ready I'll the places Of vessels OF the present
navy fast they become unfit for further service
longer delay action looking to the building Of our
Navy would in the opinion ofyour committee be not only
folly, but even crime. The only questions
which in any way affect the report OF this committee are
two In number and follows: First, whether steel
or shall be used IN the construction ofvesses recon-
mended to be built. Second, whether the second
sized vessels recommended shall be built with
open or spardecks We have unanimously de-
cided that steel should be used instead Of irOn
and we recommend steel without hesitation doubt
As to the kind Of steel this country produce includ
ing Bessemer steel, we simply nave 10 utay tay
t6er tRsf 'nT present fSce besides supplying
the demand for other purposes It is believed that tho
be able TO furnish 100000 100000 tons per year
superior to any made elsewhere in the world"
knot vessels the committee say they do not feel compc
tent TO decide, but leave Its determination 70 ne
vessels The committee, however, express the opinion
that vessels of great power as the 14kn0t ships winch
TO be of not less than 1900 tons displacement, ana
which may carry batteries OF nineteen heavy guns each
should have covered or spar decks ,u,,o, o,,..o,
Respecting the difference OF opinion when existed
among members Of the Naval Advisory Board regarding
that the committee do pot feel 1t to be important
that that question should be ARBITRARILY settled i
bil to be. reported to the House that each
vessel shall be furnished with battery
more than certain number Of guns of not less than six
inch calibre. They deem It wise however to provide
in order 10 insure the adoption of the latest improve
ments and TO put the manufacturers Of guns IN this
The committee are OF opinion that as II is manlfesty
impossible To build all these new vessels during the com
ing fiscal yeaI the construction OF tine larger types
should be begun first: because the Navy most deceu
in Large ana fast % s2 aRa speed cannot be obtained
The committee recommend the construction Of only
one steel ram Instead o. five recommended by the
advisory Board Upon the subject of heavy cannon for
the armament OF vessels Of the Navy the comioeo
say that The time has arrived when the Navy OF tms
country should be armed with guns equal to those used
in other oountres. We are not disposed 10
believe that il is wise for this country to purchase It's
guns of foreign manufacturers. The word has only to
be gven to Tie ordnance officers of the Navy aud TO the
duced at home, and that the Government VIII provide
the necessary money for the pnrP&se ana we Peheye
be put in readiness TO receive their armament
guns Of American manufacture can be constrGc'cd,
Referring the dilapdated condition OF the United
States steamer Michigan, now In service on the North
western Lakes and the recommendation heretofore pub
lished In regard steamer for these waters, the
report says: The committee have felt II to be Their
duty to recommend the construction of such vessel Tor
that service take the place Of the Michigan, now
nearly forty years old, when she is Withdrawn from
service which must be far distant day. We have
not however deemed it wise 10 Increase FOR that pur
pose the appropriations made by the b herewith re-
ported We deemed 1t better to give the Secretary
Of the Navy authority TO construct and arm vessel
adapted the lake service out OF any fund winch may
hereafter be made available Tor new construction"
The report concludes with an explanation i'll regard to
the provisions of the bill which authorize the establish
ment OF q naval board Of advice and survey"