Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-03-11
WAR SHIPS RECOMMENDED.

America Must be no Longer at the Mercy
OF the Second Rate Powers.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The House
Committee on Naval Affairs has complet.
ed its report to accompany the bill pro.
viding tor On increase of Naval establish.
ment. 1t points out that the United
States is without adequate means Of de-
lending its foreign or coastwise com.
merce, and the cities scattered along the
long lines OF sea-coast are absolutely at
the mercy of any second, rate naval pow.
er of the world. The committee believes
that the Government should at least
create II navy which will be respectable
In size, and that it shall demonstrate il.
capacity TO increase it rapidly to any re.
quired extent. "There is not" il saws.
"a town or city along II whole coast
from which tribute could not be success
fully exacted by any modern fleet" The
following is a statement of the destructi.
BILE property subject to the fire Of an
enemy's guns taken from paper by Lieu.
tenant Griffin Of the United States Army:
Portland, 1886, 900, 900; Boston, SAT- ,0O6,.
900; New York, 81, S55, 000, 000; Jersey
City, $l13, OO0, 900; Philadelphia, $7S9,.
0O0, 600; Baltimore, $219, 900, coo; New
Orleans, $176, 600, 900; San Francisco,
$3.50, 600, 900. This list omits all mention
of Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah,
Jacksonville, Mobile and the entire Tex.
as coast.
The report continues: After study.
ing the characteristics of other navies we
find that we are not only at the mercy of
foreign Nations, but that our neighbor,
Brazil might exact tribute Of any city
along IL Gulf or Atlantic coast, while
Chill could enforce similar demands on
the shores Of the Pacific. 1t is the unani-
mous opinion of your committee that the
Government of the United States ought
not longer to permit the lives and pro.
perty of American citizens to be thus
manifestly held at the mercy of 50 many
foreign Nations.
The committee then inquire what steps
ought to be taken to increase our means
of defence. As forts of iron and steel
cannot, within any reasonable limit of
cost, be erected so as to give protection
wherever it is needed, the committee de.
cided that the only practicable way to
afford such protection was by means of a
navy which can follow an enemy to
every point of attack. Having thus de-
cided, the committee set themselves at
work to decide what type of vessels
should be recommended. After consid-
ering the types of vessels approved by
foreign Governments. they recommend
the construction of three vessels of the
characteristics of these two classes:
First-The protected cruisers of 1000
tons and upward, protected by an armor-
ed deck, coal supply, and minute cellular
division OF large coal capacity, and speed
running up to 1871 knots. These vessels
carry powerful batteries and torpedo out
fits, and are designed as commerce de-
stroyers, and for other service in which
great despatch is required.
Second-Cruisers similar to the above
OF 5000 or 1000 tons displacement. OF
these two classes, the French, English,
Brazilians, Japanese, Italians, and Rus
SLAMS o have many vessels and are
building Others.
The committee also recommended the
construction of one torpedo catcher
and four torpedo boats.
The report th n discusses the question
as to the materials of which the guns and
ships should be constructed, and favor
American work as far as possible.