The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-07-18

THE ARMY AND NAVY.

Washington, AT all news-stands. Price 10 cents.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
In a recent paper published in the las, Issue of
the Proceedings or the Ndpdi Institute discussing
the number and size of vessels for peace Navy, by
Lieut.. Commander Barber, he offers plan of con-
struction board that is rather novel; consisting Of
naval oficers and Senator and a Representative
from the Naval Committees. Why the number
should be limited from each committee is not
easy TO understand, what good that one will do is
not obvious The construction of vessel OF war is
purely technical question after the general feat
rres Of the vessel are determined and this should
not be left to any board but to constructor to de-
sign the hull and an engineer to design the ma
chnery, fixing the responsibility Of the design. The
most successful vessels Of our Navy were built from
plans made by the chief Of the Bureau OF Construc
ton 10 the hull and the chief Of the Bureau OF
Steam Engineering as 10 the machinery. Among
them may he named the Wampanoag, Congress,
Resaca and doubleender types, which fulfilled the
object Of their deslgn In each particular type.
Since the establishment Of the Bureau Of Steam
Engineering 1t has not been the custom OF the Navy
Department to rely the private establishments for
designs OF machinery, though efforts were made by
several firms and designers OF machinery to CON-
pete with the designs made at the Navy Department,
but with III success in nearly every instance. The
Algonquin, Saco, Pequot, Madawaska, now the
Tennessee. original Pensacola and others that failed
TO meet the test required by the authorities at the
Navy Department, are shining examples Of truth
that TO gain success In any particular profession
special attention must be paid to the details Of It,
In the designing OF the machinery for naval vessels
no set Of men better equipped than the engineer
Officers of the Navy, and In this Mr.. Barber agrees
with when he states "there Is better talent for
men of-war desgning among our constructors and
engineers In the Navy than can be found anywhere
else In the United States.r The designers OF ma
for NOR hen not ted
TO weight and space, as in man of-war, where every
square foot occupied and every pound weight means
the restriction of some other part Of the vessels
equipment.
The board on additional vessels have had daily
sessions since last Tuesday. They have approved
the plans and specifications for the machinery de-
signed by Commodore Loring, chief Of the Bureau
of Steam Engineering, for the 4ooOton cruiser, and
expect TO complete In a few days the consideration
OF the hull, which is being prepared by the Bureau
OF Construction under the direct supervision Of Ma
val Constructor Wilson the late chief Of that bureau
This vessel Is different from the "Naniwa Kan, one
of the latest productions OF Sir William Armstrong
Co., the drawings Of which were purchased
by the Secretary of the Navy some time ago. II
is stated at the Navy Department that the de-
sign submitted 10 the board by the Bureau
OF Construction is the preferred by Naval
Constructor Wilson, and not the one preferred by
the board OF the vessels recommended by the board
in its preliminary report one was TO have cen
trail superstructure like Nanlwa Kan, or Boston and
Atlanta-and the first choice Of the board; the Sec
ond choice the type with high ends, which, with
alterations, will be submitted by Constructor
Wilson. As this vessel has considerable sail power
some notifications have been recommended to make
her stand up better under canvas.
1t is to be hoped that the Sc cretary Of the Navy
will order the machinery OF of these vessels, II
not the hull, to be built at the Washington Navy
Yard which has all the necessary plant for the pur
pose. 1t would give memb ers Of Congress an OPP
portuny to witness the details OF the construction
of machinery. That work at the Washington Navy
Yard Is done for ess than at private yards we have
demonstrated repeatedly in THE SUNDAY HERALD,
and proof can be had OF this any day at the Navy
Department or the Navy Yard. As 10 the capacity
of the Navy Yard 1t may be stated that machinery
much larger than that for the proposed vessels was
built at the Navy Yard. and the same tools with
valuable additions 10 them still there and all
that is required Is the order from the proper author
tiles TO begin the work. il the Government Is to
build the guns, why not build the machinery for the
proposed vessels? one can be done quite as readily
as the other.
Superintendency Of the Naval Academy is extremely
gratifying the younger ofncerB Of the Navy. Com
mander Sampson, from his long experience at the
Naval Academy as an instructor aud head of the
Department Of Natural Philosophy, is well fitted fol
the position to which he has been assigned. He will
be the youngest superintendent In rank and years
ever appointed TO this position second In importance
to none. lie is now on duty az member Of the
board on additional vessels, and in command al the
Torpedo Station at Newport, X. l.
The question Of the mileage OF Army officers ap
parentlv Is capable OF two constructions from the
notifications suggested by the Secretary of War Of
the circular on the subject prepared by the Pay
master General. 1t Is remarkable that members Of
Congress consider that the Government ought TO
pay them twenty cents mile, and Army officers
but four cents mile In addition 10 the actual cost OF
travel. The railroads make no distinction between
an Army or Navy officers and member OF Con
gress, yet the latter gets two aud half times 81
much from the Treasury OF the United States.
CHESTER. PA, July 1.-THE onicial test Of the
engines Of the Government cruiser Boston began at
ROachs shipyard this afternoon The trial will
Ramss M SH.s a@a css s ban
gan and Smith for the Government.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1.-THE Belgc arrived To-
day with Hong Kong advices to June 20 and Yoke
hama oJuy2. George X. Watkins, paymaster oil
the osslpee, has been convicted by courtmarlal on
board the Ossipee at Yokohama on charges Of EN-.
bezzlement and deserton. He was sentenced June
2ato three years imprisonment at hard labor, IN 9
Navy, TO receive half furlough pay during that
PERIOD and to be dismissed fran the service on the
expiration OF the term OF imprisonment.
CHEYENNE, wYo., July 1.-THE general court
martial ordered by the Secretary Of War for the
trial OF Lieut. J. i. McBIain, Ninth Cavalry, con.
vened at Cheyenne depot this morning The presi-
dent OF the court is Col Henry A. Morrow, Seventh
Infantry. Twelve ofncers OF the Seventh and
Tweniy-nrsi Infantry are the members OF the court
accused was arIagned on the charge Of conduct I'M
becoming an offcer and gentleman the speclnca
cree Of divorce from his wife, who claims 10 hay,
mad no knowledge Of me proceedings The accused
court, San Francisco, In the divorce case Was Intro
duced In evidence. Owing TO the nom arrival OF i'm
portant witnesses for the prosecution from Phila
probable that the court will then adjourn for th'
week awaiting the arrival OF the witnesses who arr
expected TO arrive next Saturday.
Capt. Joseph NJ. Kelley. Tenth Cavalry, now OF
leave OF absence In Washington. has been ordere'
70 duty at The cavalry depot, Jefferson Barracks
NO.; First Lieut. Il. X. Webster, Second Infantry
and tactics AT the University OF the South Sewanee
Tenn, August 10, relieving First Lieut. u. "
company; First Lieut.. George y. Il. Harrison, Sec
ond Artillery, has been detailed as professor Of mill
s ANU ,Se ~ ~ m
Lieut.. James A. Hutton, Eighth Infantry, ordered 4
join his company; First Lieut.. William +. Van Ness
First Artillery, has been detailed as professor o
military science and tactics al Cornell UniyeIslty
lthlca, NJ y, October !, relieving First Lieut. Wa
Ter s. Schuyler. Fifth Cavalry, ordered 10 JOIN hi
iroop
Gen Louis Merrill and Capt. j. NJ. Kelley, Of III
Army, Will be at the Ebbitt for some days.
Pay Dlrector Rufus Parks, Of the Navy, is spenC
my some time at the Ebbiu
The revenue steamer Corwne arrived at ouna
laska, Alaska, at midnight June ~. Health VI on
GERS and crew good.
FREE LIBRARY FOR WAGEEAKNERs.
AT q meeting Of The Moderation of Labor IJnor
last Tuesday evening resolutions were adopted TIL
aconmittee OF three be appointed for the purpos
VI taking Into consideration the best means Of raj
ing sufficient sum Of money for the establishmeI