New-York tribune., 1883-10-27
NEEDS OF THE NAVY.
THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY BOARD.
THE TYPES OF VESSELS NEEDRD-wHY SHIPS OF
GREAT SPEED ARE NOT REQUIRED.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-Secretary Chandler
has just received from the Naval Advisory Board report
with recommendations In regard TO the types and
Der Of vessels which should be commenced in
order to carry forward the work Of reconstruction OF the
unaInored feet" The report says;
"The rapid deterioration OF the vessels composing tho
present feet makes it necessary that the
work OF reconstruction should be carried forward
constantly and rapidly the demands OF
proper economy in expenditure will permit, in order
that the old ships condemned and withdrawn from
service new ones may be available with which TO
replace them. In undertaking this work OF
plete reconstruction Of the feet every type and
size of vessel which it proposed to Introduce should
be carefully studied and decided upon in order that
the general result may represent the highest
development Of efficiency and compactncss. To
secure these results the types and gradatons in size
should be few in number and distinct from each other,
and whilst each vessel should possess qualities rendering
her adaptable TO wide range OF service both in
peace and war, the gradatiOns should be such
to develop some of the main requirements
to its fullest extent, that the feet may be-
prepared to deal thoroughly with every exigency
OF naval service It is considered that in the commence
ment OF reconstruction at least Of the vessels OF each
final type and size should be designed and built IN order
th the work progresses an equal amount or improve
ment due to work and experience may be realized in ALL
There are now in course OF construction three of the
distinct types and sizes OF steel unamOred cruisers OF
which the fleet will be eventually composed OF these the
chicago Is representative OF the fully equipped crs-
battery power and handness carried to the maximum OF
development permissible without gaining in az the
expense OF the other Her size Ihe limit which Is
considered the best for the full attainment OF these
qualities due consideration being given TO question Of
type will replace those Of the Wabash Tenness ee
and Trenton types in the old fleet gaining greatly in
power efficiency and COmpactness by the improvements
and consolidation. The experience gained in the
Deeness or the design OF the Chicago and the necessity
for the early requirement OF more vessels OF this dcscrp
tOn have led the Board TO recommend the Immediate
construction Of one ship Of this class and type
PROBABLE COST OF NEW VESSELS.
The following Is the probable cost Of construction and
outfit: HUI, 10000; m chnery, $3jO0)O; ordnance,
S225,OOO; equipment, $4,000; total, Sl,29j,0O0.
d" although the Chicago represents the mISmlm Of
unarmOrcd lighting efficiency her cost OF construction
and maintenance limit the number which can be built
and the general active cruising capacity. For
this reason the Boston and Atlanta were designed,
which by an alteration in the type, made necessary
by the restrictions in the dimensions mllli-
tain combination OF fighting and cruising qualities
apprOXmdtn closely to those Of the Chicago, at much
reduced cost This type Of ship replaces the two types OF
the old heet represented by the Hartford and Omaha,
whose service records give the best possible evidence OK
the great enclency ana absolute necessity OF t size OK
vessels In an arinoIed ieet We recommend mat ono
more vessel th type he commenced at once the Oow
ing being the estimate of the probable cot OF cOnsruc-
ton aud Outlt Hun S4oOOOO machinery, T2COOOOi
ordnance Sl6sOOO equipment, - 5000; tot' $93b9OO:
The Dolphin mas no counterpart in the constitution or
the old fleet, In cOnequcnce OF which much msunder-
standing exists with regard to her value Her type is
considered very necessary auxiliary to the naval fight
ing force for duties requiring hghtness and speed which
could not be performed economically BY yes-
sells composing the man body Of the feet.
OF even greater Importance, however, is the
fact that this vessel a basis which to
develop the pure type of lightly armed, high speed,
economically maintained edestrOyeIs. As this
ship will stand completed she Will be very elective
in this respect although normal feet OF
different nature. The especial features developed
in this vessel and the requirements OF the Meet
brought about by the length and position ot
coast lines, lead the Board 20 recommend that
second vessel OF this type and Size De ed at once
the following being the estimate OF tie cost OF coustruc-
ton and outfit: Hull $2320O0 machinery sl720OO;
ordnance, 100000 equipment SZ?OOOi TOTAL 9t-Z'OoO
In the Dolphin actual working and lighting qualities are
sacrihced in order to obtain tuly the maximum speed
aud endurance with size II Is considered
that the proper and economical performance Of the
multlfiOus duties Of general cruising survey, eXpori
ton, etc in tme OF peace ana convoy plocA,e anu anu
squadron cruising IN time OF war uineTeho HI
phin should be introduced. These vessels would
replace those OF the Juniata, Wachusett and Essex
siEn greatly increased efficiency tae general work
quIred, whilst similarity Of type thTonsnout tAe class
compact ana effective Tor combined work Tho
struct at vessels OF tns type. Tie following
Will be- the probable cost Of each: Ilu f2l6O00; ma
chucry, $4,000; ordnance, 100000; equipment,
S25,OdOi total, $4,000.
NEED OF SMALL sEA-GONG GUNBOATs.
1T is the opinion OF the Board that no fleet can be
thoroughly efficient that does not possess number or
vessels suitable for navigating shallow waters mat 70
say, whose maximum drdugnt ot water j. no. over nlle
scacomg craft since aa important part
OF their work would be performed IN foreign
WhJeIs' lAhc thc ld S0I 'C9aCI'' Iu,O 80 fo
sess good tignng and working power 70 obtain these
qualities considered that the greatest size compatible
with draught OF nine feet OF water and good c1gong
ability about 75O tons. The Board recommends that
steps taken to provide for the immediate construction
OF two OF these vessels the following beng the estimates
OF OF construction and Outnt oi each: Hu $751;
600; machinery, $1,000; ordnance, SlOOUOi equip
ment, $4,000 total S269OOO.
Owing the complete isolation OF the Pacific coaso
from that the side OF the United states, u us
evident that complete aud efficient working the neeG
must separated district divisions and facilities
for construction maintenance and repair IN the Pacno
ha i.ipu fp
coast and in Aatic waters quite independent Eastern
yards order snip and engine building may De cuI-
tVated that coast and tnat sufficient Inducements may
be held people 10 establish factorest Is strongly
recommended tnai, II possible the vessel OF tue DOpnn
type and OF the gunbOas recommended should Oe
built aud fitted out on that side"
Tne following is tie summary OF the recommendations