New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-29
construction at Frankfort Puntwater White ver anu
south Haven Mich, are still nnpnisheds
ADMIRAL PORTER ON THE NAVY.
URGING THE NECESSITY OF GREATER SPEED FOX

WAR vEssELA
WASHINGTON. Nov 2s.-Admiral David D. Porter has
submitted the Secretary of the Navy report emoooy
ing suggestions for promoting the efficiency OF the navy
lie says that in rehabiltang the Navy there Is no SUD-
jec worthy OF more consideration than that OF home de-
fence He considers IT Of vastly interest at the pres
emf moment than the construction Of cruisers and the
ironcads now laid up at City Point so well adapted
TO the protection of coast that II seems pity hey
should be left In condition they today lie also
asserts the effective service performed by these VesseS III
the last war. and says that II they now armed Win
heavy rined guns they would be as formidable rs 'hey
were in 1863 1854, and 1858. He writes:
We require for the Navy the following classes OF vessels
which will least enable 20 show that we nave Vs
tenn even If ours ships do equal speed those of for
en Powers The rst class should lie represented by
vessel not less than 5000 or more than 1000 ions
make for few hours a speed Of lob knots The SECOND
class should I've vessel of not less than $500 or more
than 5000 able 10 make for few hours speea oi
10 knots Vessels OF This class should serve as nag
ships on foreign stations The third class sbonla
he vessel OF 5000 tons. able to make i9t
may seem to those who have not closely studied the ques
ton that the amount of speed have est'ma,edi l. pc
It has been asserted that the speed OF csneen
and half attained by foreign ships OF war on men
trial trips measured mile is never e9naisu ny
such speed is familiar 10 the transatahtH ne
which attain i on every a 1 one Of these
vessels YES
He says that he has doubt of the ability OF Messrs
Herreshof the builders of the stileo to supply boilers
far greater than that commonly attained and ADDS
submitted a plan such vessel last year TO the De-
parmeut. referred to the Board OF Ohcefs en-
gagged in designing ships for the Navy who exhibited 80
much Indifference and little knowledge OF the SUBJECT
naturally to deter me and other officers iroln ag
presenting plans for the improvement of our naval
vessels Much allowance should no doubt be maae 1of
persons graphing with the difficult problem or now 10 get
been considered the maximum speed OF Ulnied STATES
ships OF and who with Ideas restricted 10 the con
temptation of such slow vessels could not realize he pos
sil y of speed OF twenty-five knots III guhpaa oi
Obtain twenty miles hour in vessel Of only
tons, there Is reason why ",VV'
tons could not lie made 10 perform just as well
The Admiral remarks that it Is proposed to construct
thrteenknot gunboa carrying four guns. This vessel
he SAYS, could not overtake anything and powerful
Chinese gunDoat would be than match for her. IL
Is said that the European Powers have built
ironclads without regard to future uniformity
so that it would be difficult matter to
make effective formation of lines OF battle. The
Admiral SAYS that the United is making mistakes
OF the character by building so many dineient
classes OF vessels af the outset without knowing wnethe
an OF theni VIII meet the IequIicme Va " ,S VI
r day. There should be built every year three
double turTeted monitors matter II no cruisers
are built in the meantime turning MS atentioh 10 he
subject of torpedo boais he counends the Ericsson lo
pcdo and says what we REQUIRE to hre sucn oreuos
the fastest vessel the wJrdsOmething that torpedo
destIOyers cannot Oycrtake For this purpose shoG De
built twenty steel vessels on the Ericsson plan 100 eet
long with Quadruple expansion engines These vessels
should attain speed OF thirty miles hour and would
the perfection of torpedo boats In speaking OF 'he
reorganization the navy he writes
The necessity Government iron ship building yard
is greater to-day than ii in 1862 as We have at last
commenced 10 build an iron navy WINE u seeIs 'ht
neither Government private individuals posses the
necessary facilities for the rapid construction Of ships OF
war; am In favor OF the Government encouraging me
private Of country by giving them all the
work possible enable them TO improve the plant so
that in time of aid the Government III bulld
ing and repairing AT the time the Govern
should independent of outside persons so that IN
decline 10 do the public Work al proper
prices may construct our own ships.