Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-04

THE NEEDS OF THR sIRvfcH-FArLuRE OF THE
CRUIsERs-THR PROPOSED vEssEis-A PLEA FOR
HOMEMADE ARxoR-PLArR AND FoRaNGs-RsTI-
MATES FOR NEXT YEAR, ETC.
The Secretary OF the Navy In his annual report
10 the President renews his recommendations for
reorganization OF the Navy department into
three branches; military, construction and sup
plies In regard to the new cruisers the Secretary
says that the frst attempt of the department at
the creation Of modern vessels Of war has been
such as to excite the greatest concern and disap-
pointment. The one characteristic which the un-
armored cruiser must possess is great speed, as
sne Is commerce destroyer. He shows, how
ever, that the Dolphin and Atlanta, the
only vessels completed, are lacking In
this qualification. The highest speed OF the Dol
Knots rnnnng tS Sh,s that a tn was rngsb
Aiacr1ty and surprise and the French Milan, new
dispatch vessels OF the same class was 1895, 17.S
ana 1914 Knots per hour respectively.
The maximum speed OF the Atlanta will be less
than 10 knots, while the ESmeralda, Giovanni
Bausan and the Mersey all recently built in Eng
land, and which are about the same size as the
Atlanta, steam respectively 1928, us and rs
Knots. The secretary bames no one, and is un-
able to state where the blame belongs but says
the facts indicate simple Abandonment on the
part OF the department OF any attempt to reach
the conditions which should have been attained,
anu the failure on the part OF the contractor to
reach the limited results expected by the depart
ment.
THE PROPOSED VESSELS.
In regard to the contracts for the proposed new
cruisers the Secretary says that the department is
able to award them to satisfactory parties and OF
NO. l. 1t is a subject OF cOngratulatfon. he SAYS
that responsible ship-builders are willing to con-
tract lot the construction OF cruisers having char
acteristics as high as those attained abroad at
prices within 20 per cent. OF the foreign prices
Considering the difference in the price OF labor and
ma1 ee between the two countries, the bidding
considered fofr orAo Ton
hlgn price for the work expected 1t Is believed
by the department that the contracts can all be
and nHary with prot to the contractor
Concerning cruiser No. l, for which the bids
We're all too high orders have been given to reduce
OF her construction within the limit OF 81, 100 600
Meanwhile 1t is hoped that the limit fixed by Con-
giess may be removed, SO as to render available
The cruiser, the construction of which was
authorized August Sd last, is now under contract,
peua al lsed II year and X months under
TINS class will be authorized at the coming session
or Congress-.
The department has offered to all approved
naval architects and ship-builders an Opportupity
TO compete with the work OF the department in the
designs ior the two fron-clads, and $4,000 has
the vessels, the working drawings to be the sub
Ject OF subsequent agreement. No time will thus
De losi, even II no designs are submitted or ac-
tp Ior the process OF preparing necessary
ment.
THE NEED OF DOMESTIC FoRGINGs
All OF the material for making guns for the YES
sells authorized by Congress has been combined I'm
one advertisement, as an lnducement to steel man.
ufacturers OF the country to undertake the neces-
sary expenditure to prepare for the production OF
uhese heiVy forgingS. The Secretary considers it
most lamentable circumstance that a country
IKE ours, with Its immense products Of iron and
steer should be content to be dependent upon the
manufacturers OF any other nation for the fabri-
cat ti o. armor and high-powered guns, both OF
Wnlch are now essential and Indispensable parts
OF modern fighting ship.
ne is OF the opinion that the matter recurring
immaculate attention Is not so much the cofstr1lc.
uon o1 more ships, but the means OF securing the
RIouuctlon OF armor and heavy forgfngs in the
IN states Any ships authorized at the COM
Ing session OF Congress would be finished from one
to three years. probably three years. before the
aImor ana the armament could be prepared.
IL is suggested that the department have all
tnorlCy 20 employ existing and future appropria-
uohs inade iof new construction procuring dur
Ing the coming year, the preparation OF plans of
arnored vessels to be hereafter auth orized by con-
greSS
, IL Is further suggested that commission of civil
an ana naval experts be authorized to lay before
the next Congress comprehensive scheme of con-
SeTuctlon III Is stated that as at present situated
Cile country would be entirely defenseless i'm the
absence OF any ability to produce aimor or the
larger high powered guns.
The secretary shows balance OF $3.50 1o5 10 nm
hand for 1885, and states that for the first time in
many years the ordinary expenditures of the de-
partment have been kept within the approprta
IONS. Ihe estimates submitted for 1888 amount
10 $500 !lSG2, and include $500. 600 for the
increase OF the navy and nearly s3 300 900 for i'm
prosemehtS at yards and stations.