New-York tribune., 1886-08-15
N1yAL DESIG US AND GUARANTEES.

N1VAL DESIGNS AND GUIR1NIEES.
The new war-ships are to be built not upon
American, but upon English designs. Secre
tary Whitney in his letter of July Is pro-
claimed that there is not sufficient ability in
this country, either in the navy or in private
employment, to design a wac vessel. He has
therefore purchased at an expense of $24, 600
the designs of cruisers built in England, one
of which is for japan, and the new American
war vessels are to be built upon
these designs, which have been modi-
fled in some particulars. We apprehend
that the public will not approve of this servilc
copying of English designs. 1t tends to dis
credit American naval designers. They have
not confessed that they lack ability in their
craft, yet they are contemptuously Informed by
the Secretary of the Navy that they cannot
design a modern war-shp. They do not
deserve to be subjected to such humiliation.
American engineers are familiar with the
progress IF naval construction abroad and are
capable of des signing engines and ships fur
nshed with all the best appliances. A stigma
is ailix tn their reputation by tho Secretary's
action. The original purpose of the naval
authorities was to acquire the privilege OF
purchasing abroad material for tho new war
vessels. This plan was frustrated by public
sentiment as soon as the House Naval Conn
,nittee considered the proposal. The discrimi-
nation AGAINST American and in favor of
English designs is equally unjust.
Secretary Whitney is bent upon giving the
country an English American navy. Having
employed his first year III Office in discrcditlng
the Naval Advisory Board and 10 running the
contractor who faithfully executed their de-
signs. he now purchases plans from English
naval constructors and invites proposals from
American ship-yards for duplicating English
ships and engines. The large unarmOred
cruiser authorized by the Naval Increase bill,
passed at the end of the last session
of Congress, is to be modelled after
vessel planned by Chief Constructor White,
of the British Navy. and known rs " No.
81" Ii is to be n very powerful ship, con-
structpd of steel throughout. the engines hav-
ing horse power OF 10000 with an estimated
speed of nineteen knots. The English designs
for this cruiser are to be submitted TO con-
tractors when plans for the four other vessels
previously authorized are completed.
Having purchased English gns the Sccre-
tary is now prepared to make contracts for the
new vessels. These contracts must contain
effective sipulations for guaranteeing the
necessary horsepower and speed. To this
principle he is fully committed by his criticisms
upon the Roach contracts. He mast adhere to
t because by his own reasoning the OMISSION to
require such stipuations would rerder it posi-
bic for the contractors to force the Govern ment
to accept ships deficient in the prime aud alb
solutcly essential quality of high speed
Accordingly the contractors must guarantee
that the engines will develop the estimated
horsepower ana that each ship on full and
repeaied trials will reach the rate OF speed con-
tempated. We do not how Secretary
Whitney can suspend these guar ,ntccs witho MT
exposing himself TO destructive criticism.
Although horse power aud speed MUST be
guaranteed by the contractors to be equal to
those OF the Nanwa- Kan and OF No. 81" ha
can, of course, be depended upon to deal
lcniently with them if unexpected difficulties
a,ise in carrying out these stipulatons; and
Attorney General Garland can be safely
appealed to for II liberal construction of the
contracts, John Roach can doubtlcs. give the
contractors assurances on these points.