Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-16
CONDITION OF OUR NAVY.
The Annual Report and Estimates Of
Chief Constructor Wilson.

Chief Constructor Theodore d. Wilson has
submitted to Secretary Whitney his annual
report Of the operations of his bureau during
the last fiscal year. II shows that the sum Of
sSS5, s49 was expended in the repair Of ships,
purchase Of tools, DC. The payments made on
account OF vessels building under contract up
to October 81 last aggregated IS, 266, 1876. Five
vessels were condemned and sold during the
year. The present strength Of the navy and
condition Of the vessels is stated as follows:
Five double turretted monitors awaiting
completion; two belted cruisers, preparing
ways; thirteen single turretted monitors, in or
binary; twenty-three unarmored steel and iron
vessels, four OF which are in commission, eleven
building, two repairing, five on station, and
one In ordinary; twenty-eight wooden steam
vessels, nearly ell on station or undergoing
repairs, and eleven iron aud wood steam tug
boats.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THR NEXT FISCAL YEAR
aggregate s9S6, 452, while the appropriations
for the current fiscal year were $s6s, 95a In
addition to these estimates %, SO, 900 will be
required to meet payments on account of hulls
and outfits Of new ships, but this sum has
already been appropriated The estimates
include items Of S50, 600 each for he New York
and Norfolk navy yards to improve the plant
The bureau recommends the immediate con-
struction Of experimental works to o0U CSC, 900
for use in the determination Of the resistance
and other qualities Of ships BY means of mod
els, holding that the tanks viii be of perma-
nent value in designing high speed vessels and
in analyzing the results Of ship trials
FARRAaurs FLAGSHIP.
The report states that the old sloop-of-war
Hartford is likely to be condemned unless the
act passed by the House Of Representatives
authorizing her repair becomes law. Con-
structor Wilson says that she can be repaired
for S175, 900 and would be valuable for service
as a cruiser for several years. He adds that
her past record as Admiral Farragut's flagship
victorious in battle both over ironclads and
forts, not only endears her to the American
people, but when she has outlived her useful
ness as cruiser she should be preserved as a
receiving ship as monument Of her past
achievements.
MONITORS AND TUGS.
Attention is also called to the single-turretted
monitors, which are not in proper repair aud
in their present condition would be of little
use to the country. The tugs are also said to
be all worn out, and it is suggested that six
new tugs be built Of 200 tons displacement
each.
THE NAvY-YARDs.
Tools are now being delivered to the New
York and Norfolk yards, and the chief con-
structor says that we shall soon be in possession
Of two yards well equipped for building steel
and iron vessels of war Of every size and type
OF the Mare Island, Cal, yard he says that
being the only one on the Pacific coast, it is
now being fitted with complete outfit Of mod
ern ship-building tools.
A chief draughtsman is asked for, and it is
stated that such an Office has for several years
been allowed in the bureau of steam engineer
ing. As to the person for that position, the
report says: "Mr. VIM. T. Powell, the present
head dranghtsman of this bureau, is in every
way qualified for this position, &c.