The Wilmingtonian., 1886-10-02
War Shin Designs.

Secretary of the Navy, W. c. Whitney, has
advertised in London, England, and Paris,
France for designs for 1.-TWO sea going
dou -bottomed armoied vessels of about
6 900 tons displacement, designed for a speed
of at least sixteen knots an hour, with ell
gines having all necessary appliances for
working under forced draught, to have a
complete torpedo outfit aud be armed in the
most effective manner"
The advertisement, having the odd feature
about it of an invitation to European design
ers is perhaps worth giving in full. 1t reads
as follows Notice to naval architects and
Others concerning designs of steel almored
vessels for the United States Navy.-Thr
United States Navy Department, having il
view the construction, in pursuance of the
authority conferred by act of Congress ap-
proved August 8, 1886, of two armored YES
sells of different t, pes, of about 5000 tons
iisp a1ement each, invites the submission oi
designs from naval or marine architects, flon
,ugineeIs or mechanics Of established repu.
ration, all reputable manufacturers of vessel
steam engines, boilers aud ordnance, and rs-
prcially from al naval constructors, stean
engine, is aud ordnance officers of the nav,
having experience in such work. uneofth,
proposed vessels is to be an armDred cruis
aud the other as powerful an armored batth
ship as can be obtained on the above di,
placement. The requirements of the depari
| nent are laid down in a circular which Will
be fur ished to those interested on apple,
ii IN to the department, or to Commander F.
E. Chadwick, United States Navy, naval at
tache, United ates Legation, London, En-
gland, or to Lieutenant B. II. Buckingham,
Uuited States Navy, naval attache, Unlteu
| States Legation, Paris France. The design,
| submitted will be carefully examined a, d
one OF each type will be selected for purchase
| provided it can be obtained at the pric,
mentioned in the circular and otherwise con-
forms to its terms. After purchase the de-
partment will be at liberty to make sucl
notifications in the design as it may desire
1t will then order working drawings. Thes
must embody the mod fications, and must
conform in price and otherwise to the term.
of the circular, Designers are at liberty t,
offer any design deemed by them most de-
sirable whether conforming to the data pre-
paied by the department or not. The design
must, however, conform to the cond tions
named in the act of Congress above referred
10, or they will not be considered
The conditions are those alteady quoted.
Palpably the reason why Secretary Whit.
ney advertises abroad is that he wishes il,
the interests OF the United States Navy, TO
be possessed of the idea, that in the con-
structicn Of these two ships he may be abb
10 report to Congress that he has used tn
best designs available in the wnild.
Whatever we may think of our supeI 10 it,
as war ship builders there lemainy bar,
possibility that abroad there may exist som,
technical advantage OF which Amer lean con
stractors are not possessed just at present
That IS a bare possibility.
When our ships engage in a naval battle
we must not be found handicapped by any
condition of superioty possessed by their op-
ponents.
Our Secretary of the Navy would be very
probably judged criminally derelict did be
oversee such points at the present time when
the construction of our Navy is under CON
Sideration. II is incumbent upon us to take
advantage of every point that offers itself.
1t is unpatriotic to do otherwise But if il
can be demonstrated that neither English
nor French constructors can show American
builders anythin ; new, Mr.. Whitney will have
no difficulty in restricting his purchase OF
working designs to naval men of this
country,