New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-18
FOREIGN NIV4L NOTES or Interest,"

The Russian Government has given contracts 10
English builders for the construction Of two iron clad
fricates for the Baltic feet They will be fitted with
the most powerful engines that be obtained, and
will be armed with the heaviest Of Krupp guns. The
vessels will he constructed from Russian plates and
it is said the Gar has been graciously pleased to
condcscend to make alteration In the original de-
sign, This Is a gracious condescenson. since the
Car knows more about shpbuliding than he does
about theology but, il the vessels should prove a
failure il would be attributed to the Cars inter
ference.
The British Admiralty has approved Of an innova-
ton in the British Navy, and one that may possibly
be contagious in the navies OF other countries. 1t
has always been the for sailors to salute their
officers by raising their caps The Admiralty has
ordered that in sauting in the future the sailor VIII
bring the hand up to the head. after the fashion Of
soldier only with the side instead Of the palm the
hand to the front. Whether or not the Admralty's
desire to depart from the old custom IS due to tho
fear that the sailors are susceptible 10 colds BY raising
their caps the change Is a sensible In the United
states Navy the sailor lifts his cap to salute. and
when going in the presence OF an ohccr IN MS cabin
ON official business the sailor removes his cap and
leave, it out,ide. The soldier is never expected 10
his cap except by divine service or some ser
vice Of the hnd ana ,S Mou lae tpg a' inc SAILOR
II is only a few years ago that the English naval
experts gave their undivided interest to guns and
armor. but they are now running race with them
selves for the fastest record and IL begins to look
as If they getting class Of ships that can neither
chase nor run away The Navy journals are sprinkld
with items about vessels over engned' and under
boilercd" and is marvel, If the reports be true how
the ships hold together. of course, Il" full sped Is
only over the measured mile but the recent frigtfu
Admiralty anxiety about the other new vessels,
They also recall the costly and disastrous experiments
with the POyphemus. Most of the boilers Of the
vessels either give cut on their trials or are badly
strained II must BE- borne in mind that the boiler
under forced draft Is different thing than when cold
and that there must be allowance for the two gea,
natural laws-cNpansion and contraction.
The biggest. strof7,cst and cheapest battcshp In
the world is the British vessel Trafalgar. and the Nd
niraltv is very proud Of her There are some officers
I'm the British Navy. however. and not bad Judges
either, who look with a suspicious eye on her sixty
seven ton guns. believing that they are only better
What that portion OF the Navy which takes an inter
est In such matters would Ike TO see ~onla oe 70
ditlons asImlatcd as near a. possible TO those that
would obtain under actual warfare
The Admiralty contemplates entering on the i't Of
July 1000 boys for the service. An experiment 10
70 be tried with training p per cent OF them 10 be-
come fremen. This Is following the practice OF the
Italian Navy which. few wears ago, put steamer
in commission for the sole purpose OF training hIemen
Lcfolo they drafted 10 scJgOlnS snlp, ana II J,
very possible tlat INC 'Di'oD '''''' ''"'' VIII '"'
d. 50.
The youthfulness OF some of the feet officers in tie
English Navy has naturally excited the envy Of some Of
the Navy officers Of this country. For instance Losd
Walter Kerr is Just fifty and Admiral iotham Is only
forty seven. The senior Lieutenant in Tie tnilel
command OF vessel in ten years vet, unless there u
more rapid promotion than at present
The accident which resulted in the burning %
death OF three and the scaldns OF several os Oh p 'e
"a
rsronta and which also disclosed the fact that ths
Of the snip was not P Sp,y WI" To- ask trs
snineer officers OF al ship, whether they have among
oher ,t,~ sufficient ursecd oil. lime. and 80 on !"
lac sod for the dressing OF possible. OF probable
iarns and scalds." This looks as II the Admiralty
had concluded not to depend aliosether upon inc io0
sisht Of the surgeons IN the fu''fe'
What time the British Navy Is having WIN n rs
loton guns. All Of the bis bat, ,ps Seem u The Ss
second of the defective guns on the Victoria mas Dn
cent back the work, 70 he repaired ana sr'v ,
cned the l.eubOw is not allowed % nle TT ,s
guns lest the ssss already Visible should tss1me
sbsonfc fractures; those Of the sanspane ana
erdown are also 70 be strengthened win bands nus !,
and now comes the that one Of these heavy guns
was shipped TO the Italian Government on the barge
Nautilus, and that she had sunk WIN H.
But the IIoton gun is not the only one mat has las
given trouble by webbing about ann op' ~ % "a
snmmarly turned ont Of the Navy. the Hl-toh sui,
wcr, altered to G7-ton and 90 ton and YET more OF
this size have failed than perhaps OF any oi "e o'e''
The French Government j. determined n Keep "eil
IN i'm the ranks Of the great Naval Powers ana Ter
MANY too. j. inclined 20 follow the eNaNlf' im.
French programme for naval construction for l-9l
oontempiatcs the following additions 10 the NaNp .
len iron caGs eleven cruisers Two TORPEDO cruiser
eight torredo dispatch boats. and twelve sea gong
and thirty five nr,t-cass torpedo boats. II VIII y"
zen bv thi, that while the British Admiralty believe
I'm iron clad and swift cruisers. the French seem 10
put more faith in light torpedo boats.
The Navy estimates Of the British Government Tor ,le
Gaming tnansal i l:.s-'O .. about >r'- =
600 being an increase OF SjoiOpo as compared Win
tha present year The total estimated expenditure upon
now elton without ornaments. i t.}O3oopp.
,hout half Of this amount Is 10 bc expended m tic
Goveruuent dock ards and the ether half on contfao'
work