Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-04
Annual Report
Or THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

al report by reiterating bis suggestions and
recommendation in his annual report of
1885 in favor of a REORGANIZATION of the de-
partment The reorganization proposed Gov
ers, first, military branch, dealing with the
personnel of the navy, its enlistment and
discipline, and the movements of the fleets,
etc ; second. branch having to do with the
creation of the implements of war-the con-
struction branch; third. the branch dealing
with the purchase of supplies, keeping of
stores, etc , and having charge of the general
accounts of the department. His opinions
and recommendations upon other matters of
Importance may De found in the following
abridgemrnt:
THE ADDITIONAL NEW CRUISERS.
The experience of the department in its
first attempt at the creation of modern YES
sells of war has been such as TO excite the
greatest concern and disappointment An
examination of the facts with reference to
them demonstrated that an entirely new de-
parture was necessary in undertaking further
similar construction. The one characteristic
which an unarmored cruiser must possess is
great speed The Dolphin, Boston, Atlanta
and Chicago. the new vessels built, fall below
what they ought to be in comparison with
vessels of the same class belonging to other
nations. The Secretary then states what the
department has done in relation to the build
ing of other vessels and publishes the bids
for them, which our readers have already
seen. The Secretary says: The department
is able to award the contracts for the con-
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parties and at satisfactory prices, with the
exception Of the vessel known as cruiser No.
|, 1000 ton ship designed by the bureaus,
for which no bid was received within the
limit of 81, 100, 900 fixed by Congress
An examination of the prices shows this
most satisfactory circumstance, that RESPONSE
BILE ship-builders are willing to contract for
the construction of cruisers having charac-
teristics as high as those attained abroad at
prices within 25 per cent of the foreign
prices. This is subject of coneratulation.
in view of the fact that the character of the
ships is quite novel in this country the condi-
tions to be attained most exactng and difficult.
Considering the differences in the price of la.
Dor and material between the two countries the
bidding must be considered to represent
fair and not too high price for the work ex-
pected. 1t is believed bv the department that
the contracts can all be faithfully performed
with profit to the contractor and every re-
quirement of the government fulfilled.
Concerning cruiser No |. orders have been
given to reduce her size, for the purpose of
carrying out the intention of Congress, if
possible, of bringing the expense of her con.
struction within the limit of 100000. 1t
requires a reimbursement of all the weights,
and in fact the designing of II new vessel,
which will necessarily take some months
Meanwhile 1t is hoped that the limit fixed by
Congress NAV be removed, so as to render
available the present plans, which have been
The result of many months of careful labor on
the part of the officers of the department.
THE New ARMoR CLADs.
Congress at its recent session authorized
the construction of two iron-clads of about
6 600 tons each. The subject has been re-
ferred to the Bureaus of Constructions Steam
Engineering, Equipment and Recruiting, and
Ordnance to take the necessary steps to pre-
pare plans for the letting. The department
has deemed it wise to offer to all approved
naval architects and ship -buiders an oppor-
tunity to compete with the work of the De-
partment in the designs of these new ships,
and the sum of $4,000 has been offered as
for anv accepted design tor
either of the vessels, the working drawings
to be the subject of subsequent agreement.
The ARMoR AND GUNS FOR THE MONITORS
AND THE ARMoR-CLADs
Congress also authorized the President, in
his discretion, to direct the completion of
the double-turreted monitors.
In view of the Importance of utilizing the
occasion as an inducement to steel manufac-
turers, it was decided to put the armor re-
CURED for all of the vessels authorized bv
Congress into one contract, and offer the
same to the competition of steel manuftctur
Frs in the United States, and allow a suffi cient
time for the successful bidder, if one or
more should appear, to take the necessary
steps in the way of the creation of plant and
IF initiating the manufacture. The extreme
of obtaining this result has
been a matter of general comment, in and
cut of Congress, for several years. 1t is
closely allied with the matter of the steel
orgings for the modern high-power guns,
md the same course has been taken by the
Department with reference to these. All of
he material necessary in making the guns
or the vessels authorized bv Congress has
been combined in one advertisement, as an
nducement to steel manufacturers of the
to undertake the necessary expen-
liure to prepare for the production of these
heavy forgings.
The srmor and the armament of the vessels
already authorized by Congress involve an
estimated expenditure of 81 1872 900 1t is as.
'umed by the department that these large
contracts, instead Of being thrown into the
hands of foreign manufacturers. should be
utilized at home and made the means of Sc
curing the establishment of this branch of
industry here, so important to the govern
nent.
The report of the Chief Constructor of the
Navy sets forth the present condition of the
vessels now in commission and their probable
duration. If his estimate is correct in six
years the country will be possessed of but
three servlceable cruising ships of those now
upon the list; and unless a new navy shall be
created, there will be none in existence after
hat lapse of time.
The small amount of modern armor which
has been used by the department of late wears
has been purchased abruad-a policy certain |
" not in keeping with proper dignity and |
pride, nor at all consistent with wisdom.
At the present time and for many wears TO |
come. in the event OF conflict with either |
first OF second class naval power, it would be |
quite impossible for the United States. a. at |
present situated, to produce within its terri |
tory either the srmor required for armored |
ships or the guns necessary for their arma- |
ment. Nor would it be possible for the navy
Of the United States to protect such articles
in transit across the ocean. even If il were
possible to obtain them elsewhere in time of
war As at present situated the country
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