New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-03
4 SIGN OF NdVAL PROGRESS.

The successful launch of the armored cruiser
New-York fourteen months after the laying OF
her keel is signal proof of the progress OF
American shpbuildng When the work OF
creating new Navy was undertaken by Secre-
tary Chandler in 1888 such vessel could neither
have been designed nor constructed. Before so
large an armored cruiser could be built and pro-
vided with engines and batteries of high power
it was necessary not only thai American design
ers should master all the details OF modern naval
architecture, but also that complex series OF
new industries should be successfully introduced.
The first four vessels added to the Navy were
superior in all respects to the requirements OF the
contracts. but there was neither the technical
skill in the Department nor the plant in Amen-
can shipyards and iron-wOrks requisite for pro-
ducinc such a vessel as the New-York Nine
wears have sufficed for so large development OF
engineering talent and shipbuilding resources that
il is now practicable to build in fourteen months
a cruiser of the highest speed, the largest coal
endurance and unrivalled defensive and offensive
qualities for her class.
It is this capacity for building in short
neriod the best vessels of their class which in
creases enormously the defensive powers of the
i'll.
on the seas from having a modern feet OF high
speed and heavy guns, but is UNNECESSARILY more
formidable as a maritime Power from having
the resources at its command for doubling It's
naval ornaments in little more than year III
foreign complications had arisen in 1888 and
war with any nation had become necessary, there
would have been an inferior fleet for the defence
of three great seabOards, and neither industries
nor facilities for rapidly designing building and
launching vessels of high efficiency for purposes
! Of naval warfare. Where the United States was
| then weak it is now strong. The progress OF
naval architecture and shipbudng has released
! Americans from dependence upon foreign Powers
in critical emergencies of its diplomacy. They
| have resources of their own for maintaining a
long naval war with any European Power
There is another point in connection with the
launch of the New-York which cannot be I'M
duly emphasized. 1t is an American ship through
and through. During the Cleveland Admins
tration foreign designs were purchased, and
several cruisers were built after English models.
Since Secretary Tracy came into office AseYcan
engineering talent has not been discredited by
enforced imitation of foreign types. Every new
shin which has been designed under Republican
administration has been American in every line
The result Of this policy has been marked adj
vance in naval architecture. So long as Ameri-
can designers were required to copy the work
of English draughtsmen there was no chance OF
building ships which would be unrvalled in theiI
class. Now that our engineers are empowered
TO think for themselves, original work is done
and the best ships ailoat will be those under the
American flag.
The York, when she is once in commits
sion after demonstrating in official trials her high
qualities ss q cruiser, viii serve a model fol