New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-20
y IPBUILDING
GODER.N.NENTS
PDIIET

Secretary Tracy's decision to build the two new
3.OOO.ton cruisers at Federal navy yards, one at
New York and the other at Norfolk, dispOscs of
the question OF indefinite delay in the construction
Of these vessels 1t will he remembered that when
the proposals for The building of these two ships
were opened Oh August 90 they were found TO he
greatly in excess of the appropriation made by
Congress and tho Secretary has carefully weighed
the question whether it would be advisable to
wait until Congress meets and take the chances OF
its increasing the appropriation, or 10 do as the
act of authorization provided, nomey, " to bulId
such vessel or vessels at any navy yard the Sec
rotary may designate, il the contract Tor Their
construction cannot be obtained at reasonable
prices from outside parties Whether or not
there is any truth in the assertion that there was
an understanding between tie shipbuilding firms
upon the limit OF their bids 70 build these SHIPS
is n question upon which some doubt has been eX-
pressed especially by those who realize that nearly
all of the vessels now building are under heavy
PENALTIES for delayed construction. 1t Is probable
that the failure to secure available bids, or blds
within the limit allowed by Congress, was due to
the past experience of the builders of the vessels
now under construction. Public opinion WILL
however, approve Secretary Tracys decision, espe
ciaIly in view of the fact that the several ship
ton in the designs of the vessels were made, II
would be impossible TO secure bids within the
limit Of cost fixed by Congress.
The two navy yards designated by the Sccrc-
tsrv fer the binding of these two cruisers are
we'll equipped for building steel and iron YES
scIS-of-war Of every size and type. When II was
decided 10 build the armorcd cruiser Maine at the
Ncw-Yor!l Navy Yard, and the battle-ship Texas
A. the Norfolk Navy Yard, each Of more than
1. 900 tons displacement, Congress appropriated
$4,000 for the purchase OF tie necessary ma
chinery and other appliances for complete ship
building plant at each OF the yards. Hence these
two naval stations arc well equipped in all mod
prn requirements for building ships and machinery
ropidlv. the advantages OF which would be rccOg-
nized in case Of emergency, and at a time when
nriyatc contractors could not he relied upon TO
make repairs TO war vessels. The policy OF the
Navy Department is TO have good plants available
~ all the LEADING navy yards notwithstanding
that many Of the new cruisers are helng built III
private yards: and the yard at Mare Island. the
only one now on the Pacific Coast. is being ntted
with a complete outfit of modern ship-building
tools IL is the only Government establishment
whore the renairine of vessels can properly be
conducted upon "a coast-ine Of thousands OF miles
in extent 1t has the advantage Of such climate
that il is perfectly practicable to build ships with
ont the shelter of ship-houSes, which are cX-
pensive both III first cost and IN repairs.
Eneneer-in-C hiet George w Melville IS the
authority for the statement that the equipment
of the engineering departments at thu Ncw-l or1
and Norfolk Navy Yards Is sufficient 10 build
the engines for the Maine and Texas, or larger
engines some Of the largest engines ever built
having been constructed ~ these yards more than
twenty years ago with the existing plant The
shop machinery Is, however, the worSe for wear
and is not up IN modern requirements in the
matter of Hpidity of work and economy of pro-
duction: but, in order to be prepared for any
emergency. when machinery would have to be
built rapidly in large quantities, Congress is to
be asked for authority 20 provide additions Of
modern tools for all Of the navy yards