Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1892-01-29
lsuilding Americas ships.

question, .Can ships be built as cheaply
in the United States AZ in England
than Charles Cramp, and in the Janu-
ary number Of the North American Re.
view he gives reasons and facts and fig
ures that prove that frst-class mercan-
tile and war vessels can be and are
made in the United States at very little
more than British cost.
But A. to the lower class of ships he
says:
Put the plans and specifications OF the
average English tramp steamer into the
hands Of IN American shipbuilder n he
could not duplicate her. lie would build =
better vessel, of superior workmanship,
md neater Iinish in every respect, for tile
reason, to put II broadly, that the me
chanics who make up an American ship
yard organization are trained TO q higher
grade OF production, which they could moi
reduce to the standard of tramp cOnstruc-
ton. Under these circumstances tins
branch Of the subject may be dismissed
summarily, with the statement that an En-
glish freight ship OF the usual type could
not be duplicated in this country at any
cost.
So that if we have been building few
or tramp ships than our friends in Eu-
rope, We have, ut least, been educating
and maintaining . body Of consci entious
mechanics, who Fan do the best work
In the world. and who will not do any
that ID not good.
"Ths proper FORM" says Mr.. Cramp,
ITO put the question H.: Can you build
. ship to do the work Of the City Of New
York, or the Majestic. or the Columbia,
or Of any Of the famous first-class YES
sells now afiost, in all respects and at
| English cost? To that question | an
l a-n., Vas ~ 0uikhipn or ANAL a m0p.
gin ~ would prevail in q similar case
between any two British shipyards."
The disparity between the cost Of war
| ships built in American and British
shipyards, other than those owned by
| the government of either country, has
dwindled during the past eve years
until, in the cases of the three latest
battle ships, the margin between prices
10 hardly perceptible. How rapidly the
cheapening process in cost Of first-class
vessels il ct work may be illustrated
by the fact that Congress, in
June, 1890, authorized the con-
struction of three war vessels, q to
be about $500 tons displacement, and
provided mot more than A,OOO,0 600 for
the cost Of EACH" exclusive OF arma.
ment. These vessels now are in con
struction, but instead of $500 tons dis
placement" they are being made to
measure 10, tons, or nearly 20 pei
cent. larger than was contemplated,
while the cost Of each will be &, 200, OND.
instead Of 1890 900.
The adoption by the United States
government Of the British policy Of in
trusting the construction Of war vessels
to private firms has 80 stimulated en-
terpyise that whereas in 1881 there wal
no forge in this country that had made
steel plates and shapes Of the quality
demanded by the government
contract. no foundry that had
made castings Of such standard, nc
forge capable of making steel shafts, the
tubes or the jackets requisite for thu
motive power. now everything needed
for the construction and armament o
the higher class Of war vessels is made
here.
Mr.. Cramp gives this very enconrag
ing summary of our naval condition
American shipyards have built or art
building about forty vessels Of the very
highest and most effective class In thu
world; and this development has beer
crowded into 4 space Of about sevel
years. To putthe case . little stronger
you may my that. with only the existin,
authorised construction In view, thi
country will have the third navy o
the world in less than ten years from
the date In which 1t stood at zeroF'