Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-21
FROM WASHINGTON.
OUR NAVY.
Annual Report Of Admiral Porter.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.
Admiral Porter in his annual report con-
siders that the steam launches supplied war
vessels unsuitable for torpedo boats and
commends that attached to the New Hamp-
shire as every way suitable for the service
| He suggests that the board of inspectors IN
stitute competitive trial between the New
| Hampshire's and others 70 be held in New
Dor, harbor. Speaking Of Coasters Harbor
| Island station for training naval apprentices
he say we will never realize q reasonable ex-
pectance of the service while the most prom
| iuent feature is pauper establishment, which
prevents the government from using the
| buildings, which couli be made serviceable
to the navy in many ways. He recommends
that the building referred to be used for the
purpose of establishing post tor the Rradu-
ate class OF officers who should be afforded
every opportunity to perfect themselves In
the higher branches of education and acquire
more practical knowledge of what they have
been theoretically taught at the naval acad-
envy. In connection WITH 'teel armoreo
cruisers, designated BY the naval advisory
board the admiral says that as a step towards
abolishing privateering powers, Europe some
wears ago decided to consider coal as a con-
,raband of war In case of our having war
With any foreign power all coaling stations
would be closed against US, hence the nee
essity of building vessels having full sail and
steam power. IL is said that the Chicago
will only have 1900 square feet of canvas.
ANY seaman knows that so small amount can
be considered auxiliary" and would only
propell the vessel through the water in
very fresh breeze. With the very peculiar
rig of the Chicago, with bOwsprit and Jibs
projecting beyond the bow, no vessel would
work under sail in smooth water much less IN
a rough sea. am certain that no ship Will
be a first-ciass cruiser unless she has san
enough to send her thirteen knots though the
water off the wind and ten knots by the wind.
Ii may be said comparatively narrow beam
modern ships are opposed to carrying sail. but
the great length OF these ships with the enor-
nous weight of the boilers and machinery
carried low down, gives them stability not
possessed by Old fashioned sailing ships OF
war and they could carry top gallant sails
when the latter would have to take reef in
the topsails The Trenton is a good speci-
men Of full power sail and steam ship, and
is superior in peace and war to any half
spared cruising ship we can build. She
could cruise for six months without using
coal and would prove the most powerful
commerce destroyer, barring her want OF
great speed but after all the Trention1is not
a good fighting ship OF her size.
large portion of the ocean commerce
is now carried by swift steamships, many Of
which average in the time of war the greater
part. The enemies commerce would be car
ried in such vessels. Now and then COM
paratively slow steamers might fall prey to
our cruisers, but this would not often hap.
pen. 1t may seen Assured to apprehend war
with between England and the United States,
but should such a calamity occur most of the
fast steamers of Great Britain would be with
drawn from commerce and armed with heavy
batteries. In such a case how long would it
take for steamships like the Oregon or Alaska
to overhaul and capture small commerce
destroyers?" The ocean would swarm with
these converted merchant steamers, and they
would efiectualiy control it. Therefore,
while we are rebuilding the navy it seems to
me we should build class of swift vessels
like the Oregon and Alaska, and if possible
more enduring. No matter how fast
steamer may be unless the guns are powerful
she will have little prestige. In time OF war.
especially war in which Great Britain, France
or Ge many are involved. these steamers will
20 heavily armed and will be able to beat of
any small cruisers with a few guns. There
is 10 use in building vessel like the kear-
sage either to defend the coast, or as cruis-
ers, for they can't accomplish any weighty
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