Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-02
NEW SHIPS.
The Building OF Part of the Fleet on 81. c
Pacific Coast Urged.

WAsHlNGToN, ID. C., Oct 26.-The secrc-
tary of the navy recently requested the opn.
ion of the naval advisory board as to the
types and number Of vessels which should
be begun at once in order to carry forwardthc
work of reconstruction of the unarmored
fleet. The board in letter to the secretary
say The rapid deterioration of the vessels
composing The present fleet makes it neces-
sary that the work of reconstruction should
be carried forward as constantly and rapidly
as the demands of proper economy in the
expenditure will permit, in order that as
the old ships are condemned and with
d avn from the service new ones may
b. available TO replace them. w
csch of the new vessels should possess
qualities rendering them adaptable to wide
range of service in peace and war the grada-
iions in size should be such as to develop
some one Of the main requirements to its
fullest extent, so that the feet may be pre-.
pared to deal thoroughly with every ext
gence Of naval service. The experience
gained in completeness OF design of the
Chicago and the necessity for the early &C.
quire,nent of moro vessels OF this description
have led the board to recommend the imn.e
diae construction Of one ship OF this class and
type. Her cost is estimated at $1,295, OG0
The construction OF one or more vessels of
the type OF the Boston and Atlanta, which
represent combination of fighting and
cruising qualities experimenting closely to
those Of the Chicago at much reduced cost
is recommended. Hire 1t will be SD3C coo
The board say that YES ell of the type of the
Dolphin are considered very necessary auxil-
iaries to the naval fighting force for duties re.
curing lightness and speed, and the board
recommend that second vessel of this TYNE
and size be begun. The cost is estimated al,
s484,000 In the Dolphin actual working
and fighting qualities are sacrificed TO
obtain the full maximum speed and
endurance consistent with her size.
1t is considered that for rroper
and economical performance OF the mu'tifari.
Gus duties of general cruising, survey, explo-
ration, etc., in time Of peace and CONVOY,
blockade and squadron cruising in time Of
war different type Of the same size as the
Dolphin should be introduced. These vessels
would replace those Of the Juniata, Wachu.
set and Essex types in the Old fleet, gaining
by the perfection of their design greatly in.
creased efficiency for the general work re.
quired. The board recommend that two
such vessels be at once designed and con.
sn1 begun. The estimated cost is S5l6,
0o0 each. 1t is the opinion of tn,
board that no fleet can be thor
oughly efficient that does not posses.
number of vessels suitable fol-
navigating shallow waters. AT the sam,
time these vessels must be scaeoing crafts
since an important part OF their work ia per
formed in foreign waters. Like the large,
vessels they must POSSESS good fighting ano
working power. TO obtain these qualities
IT is considered that the greatest Size com
patiple with draueht OF niue feet of watel
The board rec )mlncnd tbnt steps be taker
for the imme late construction of two o.
these vessels, the estimated cost of eacl
being $269. 900.
Owing to the complete isolation of the Pa
cinc coast from the eastern side of the United
states 1t is evident that for complete an,
eincient working the feet must be separate,