The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-18
OUR CRUISERS.
An Interesting Article by Gen. Dabney II.
Maury.

An Interesting Article by Gen. DabneY H.
Maury.
Our country regards with satisfaction
the excellent administration of Oul
naval officers during Mr.. Whitney :
time. and that satisfaction is enhanced
by the continuance by Mr.. Tracy Of the
policy of Mr.. Whitney.
We now, for the first time in many
wears, have a navy of which we may be
Justly proud-and have assurance that
1T will be increased IN power and eff
cheney until even Britannia can never
again rule the waves. The policy OF
building great iron clads for harbor
defence has been questioned and upon
good grounds. The objections are based
not only upon the great expense and
time necessary for their construction,
but upon other grounds 10 less forci-
BILE.
The cost of one of these cruisers is
estimated at about $4,000 600. The
time necessary to put one OF them IN
condition for service may be prudently
stated at three years. When we look
back three years at the important de
velopment in steam power and N
offensive and defensive means.
we must consider that in the next
three years time such ships will not be
up to the standard of speed, safety and
power then attainable.
Therefore. it is cOulended, it Will be
wiser to build six or eight little ships
which may cost half million each
and will aggregate more power and
more speed and safety than the big ship,
while they may ell be ail0at and ID
service in six months from the date of
their keel-laying. Whether for harbor
defense or for cruising they will be
more effective and quick. In case of
disaster, their loss will not be so great.
The history of the pasty thirty years
has been of only great calamties,
which have befallen gun irOnclads in
one year. The Captain, the Van Guard
the Grosser, Korfunk, all found the bot
tom of the ocean so fcarfully suddenly
that all of their crews were drowned
over 1000 men.
In the last Turkish war, the Sultan
had fleet made in England after the
most approved models. The most
bert Pasha Sawaf, British Earl, com
manded this fleet of eleven fine iron
clads. The Russian torpedoes sank
four of them, and the rest Of the fleet
was well content to seek place of
safety and remain inactive during the
rest Of the tour.
France had the grandest fleet in the
world when the war with Germany
broke out. 1t had been constructed at
great expense, and made the English
Lion uneasy for his naval supremacy.
This great navy sailed from Cher
bourg to capture the German seaports
and enter.the harbor of the first object Of
attack. Burne Haven, a German tor
pedo, struck and damaged the leading
ship so seriously that the whole squad
ron returned to Cherbourg, where they
have remained ever since. Their
models are now obsolete. and that fleet
is only valuable as an illustration of
the inexpediency OF such ornaments.
And yet Old England has gotten into
the groove of building big ships, and
still holds to her ancient prestige as
of the Seas, though there is
not an English naval officer now IN SER
vice who has ever been in "A naval bat
tie, and SO long as she continues build
ing these enormous war ships, all other
naval powers feel they must keep up
with her. The United States can
well afford TO disregard such
influences. We have to build a new
navy. Let us do it with full considera
ton Of the different circumstances
which separate us from the European
powers. A navy Of fast ships with big
guns. of light draft aud medium capa
city, seems TO be what we need. Such
ships will be commanded by young
men who have their fame to nuke.
while the Zig ships must have man
past his prime and content with his
condition.
When old Admiral Seymour in safety,
battered down the works at Alexan- !
iria. and DESTROYED the most interest
ng city in the World. for which exploit |
he was made an Earl. the gallant
'oung American. Captain Nicholson,
ound occasion to run his little boat
lose in. and bore himself 40 bravely, as
o win the admiration Of all who saw
i'm and made bis country proud OF
i'm. DABNEY IL. MAURY.
Window and door screens, frames ay4
ire. A. Is. CLARKE e. Son, 1910 Naia