New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-19
FOREIGN NAVAL NOTES.

II IS now many months ago that the English press
had much to say In criticism Of the conservatism OF
the United state; in limiting the manufacture OF BIZ
guns 13 inches OF calbre, equal to sixyseven tons
In weight. But the number and frequent failures OF
the English llO-ton guns, involving loss Of hundreds
OF thousands OF pounds sterling to the English tax-
payers has forced the Admiralty to q decision that no
guns shall be built exceeding fifty tons in weight
To reduce the maximum weight of ordnance fifty per
suggests that the Admiralty may have swung 10
the other extreme In heavy gun construction
The British Admiralty has ordered tho immediate
construction OF fourteen torpedo vessels with the con-
dition that they "shall BE- worthy OF the maritime
position OF the country and OF the skin OF the English
builders The fourteen vessels 10 be Of two
classes Ten are to be larger and faster than
which the American Navy now possesses, and the
other four TO be smaller. but with great speed ana
in every way seaworthy.
The Admiralty has concluded TO approve Of the
movement in England TO build larger drydocks
to accommodate It's Dig naval vessels. A contract Is
about 70 b. gwen construct dry docks at
Portsmouth, to be large enough to accommodate its
biggest ships some of the English papers crticise the
decision 80 have the work done by contract Instead Of
By convict Labor. which, II Il declared, will very con-
siderably increase the cost, which Is estimated at
about $4,000
Another accident, Is added 10 the Admiralty's
"chapter OF disasters for 1907 The Surprise. the
official Yacht of the COmmanderin- Chief OF the Med
tcrrancan. has aground In the Gulf OF Nalo, ana
has been seriously damaged. About 100000 has been
expended for repairs upon the surprise within very
few months. and some time ago she ran down
merchant vessel for which the Government had to paw
al 80 Rather an expensive thing Is this yacht for
n fleet commander. There Is no such luxury In the
American squadr0ns
The only thing being done by the Admiralty nj pres
ent concerning the disaster to the bateshp Howe Is
an effort save the guns and as much Of the other
property possible. and bewaing over their III for
time. The Howe has always had an Ill name for
crratic steering propensities but the professional
ability of her commander and navigator will soon be
the subject OF judicial inquiry. Her commander, who
appears No. IL on the list as captain Alexander
Pantagcnet Hastings c. b.. \. ID. c. Is younger
than any OF the seventeen captains below MIN but
this is owing lucky promotions In the early part OF
his career lie was iag-captan TO sir william Hewlett
during the Egyptian In which he saw much ser
vice. II Is a curious coincidence that In the grounding
of Howe the big ship ahead OF her escaped the
hidden danger.
Rear Admiral H. F. Stephenson has been ordered to
succeed Admiral IIotham Commanderln Chief at the
Pacific station. Admiral IIOthams name Is familiar TO
American readers in connection with the Behrlns
seal fisheries the Black sea and the Canton River.
With the Naval Brigade during the Indian mutlny in
the last Arctic expedition and at Teel kebir, Ad-
mra stephenson has more hard work than most
men, and has well deserved his decorations.