National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13

20 cost sCGO,O00 He said that this plan
had been submitted to the naval advisory
board, which had rejected it, regarding u
as an experiment.
lie showed how New York and Brooklyn
might tc bombardcd by a man of.war lying
in pocket formed by the coast OF Coney
lslatd and entirely protected from the guns
Of Fort Hamilton and the neighborlng loru-
fontions.
Turning his attention to the navy yard,
Admiral Porter expressed the opinion that
for "a, 100000 the League Island navy yard
could be made the equal OF any other YARD
in the world. Ships might then DC built
cheaper and better than private c0ntraetors
could build them. When John Roach was
al Chester there had been no hope for
League Island: but now that he had gone,
here was a chance for the government.
The dry docks at Norfolk, Boston, New
YORK, aud New London were, he said, too
email for modern men-of.war, and shouldbe
replaced. They could not economically be
enlarged.
ADMIRAL SIMPSON
followed with an explanation of the estl-
mates for the reconstruction OF the mOni-
tors. They were tirst-rate vessels he said,
and there was every reason why they should
he completed without alteration Of plans.
lie believed that the government should
tuild more than one type of vessel for
economical results. Torpedo boats were in
dispcnsablc, and builders should be induced
TO turn their attention to their construction.
Thc'report Of the gun foundry board had
shown the difficulties In the way OF obtain
ing large masses OF metal for ordnance con-
struction. The same condition of affairs
prevailed as to arInOr plates There was
no lack Of material or skill in this country
10 produce these plates. It was simply n
matter Of cxpending the necessary amount
q nj gta
bult by John Roach the United States had
10 armor plate plant In this country. 1t
was new industry here that had been
luilt up by Mr.. Roach With one exccp-
tion he did not think that there was any
United States yard that was capable OF
icing fitted up in manner to admit of the
construction Of iiTst.Class war vessels. lie
was opposed to the League Island navy
yard because no proper foundation could
he secured there. The ground beneath
the yard was nothing but a mud bank lie
favored the fitting up Of naval station at
New London. The yard could be defended
without great cost, and the Geicnses would
also serve to protect New York 10y closing
tie sound to the enemy.
CHARLES CRANtP,
the shipluilder, said that as the United
States had not hult an iron vesse
for many years, its yards were absolutely
without an organization, and, though Il
might secure u suitable plant, the met
could not be educated in moment. lie
thought that the government should hav,
Lavy yards fitted up in thorough manner
20 do all its repairs, but that the work o
construction should be done at private
yards. Mr. Thomas inquired what the OBJ
lection was to having the government dc
the work Of construction when II had {
sufficient plant and skilled worlmen t.
make repairs. Mr. Cramp replied that, Il
Congress appropriated money to build {
large ship at the League Island navy yard
it would dcmOralize his yard and all the
yards ut Wilmington, because they would
have 20 increase the wages of their work
men. Last year he had had nothing to do
Tut he had paid his workmCn $4,000 be
cause. though plant and tools might be re-
placed, skilled workmon could not be. llt
was ready at any time to build armored
vessels, because they were as easy to built
as unarmored vessels.
The Chairman. Could you get such com
pound armor made In this country as l.
made by firms In England?
Mr.. Cramp replied that 1t could not b
obtained at present, but that there was
firm in Pittsburg that could complete IT.
mill in short time. In reply to a question
by Mr.. Thomas Mr.. Cramp emphatically
stated that steel vessels could be built by
private contract at one-half the cost they
could he built at navy yard.
NATHANIEL M'KAY
said that he had done some work for the
government to his sorrow. The govern
mcnt was always making changes In plan
and the contractor never knew where h,
stood. In his opinion the future war ship
should be great ironclad turret vessels a
large as they could be made, costing seyera
million dollars and for coast defense goo
monitors should be provided-our own wer
the hest in the world. The torpedo boat
were mere tireCrackCrs