The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-07
THE NEV NAVY.
Progress During tlse Year-A Liberal
Policy Should Continue.

The report OF the SECRETARY Of the navy ex.
hIblts great progress in the construction OF our
new navy. When the present secretary entered
upon his duties only three modern steel vessels
were in commission. Tge vessels since put in
commission and to be PCT in commission dur
ing the winter will maze q total Of nineteen
during his administration Of the department..
During the current year ten war vessels and
three navy tugs have beel launched. Two other
large ships and a torpedo boat are under con.
tract and the work upo,. them well advanced,
of the armor. whIcS has been unex-
pectedly delayed or they would have been
been let during this administration, under
the appropriations for increase of the navy,
including new vessels AMI their appurtenances,
to the amount of $37 so. and there has been
expended during the sarze period for labor q:
navy yards upon siIniisr syork 100000 without
the smallest scandal or Charge of fraud or par
TALLY. The enthusiasm aud interest of our
naval officers, both OF ting staff and line. have
been greatly kindled. they have responded
magnincently to the confidence OF congress,
and have demonstrated 10 the world an 1uex-
ceiled capacity to construct ordnance and every
thing involved in the building. equipment and
sailing of great warships. At the beginning of
Secretary Tracy's administration several diff
cult problems remained to be Zrappied with and
solved before this efficiency in action OF our
ships could be secured. 1t is believed that as
the result OF a new process in the construction
OF arn,or plate our later ships will be clothed
are to be found on any war vessel aaoat We were
without torpeaoes. Tests have been made to
ascertain the relative CflcieIcy OF different con-
Etrucsions, Il torpedo has been adopted and the
work OF construction is now being carried on
successfully. We were without arnor-piercing
shells. We are now making what Is believed to
be a prniectiie superior TO any before in use. A
snloke.ess powder has been adopted and q slow
burning powder for guns Of large caliber. High
explosives capable OF use in shells fred from
heavy guns have been found, ana the mnaufac-
ture OF gupcotton has been developed and the
question OF supply Is 20 longer IN doubt. The
development of a naval militia, which has Been
CrCaliZed III eigE1 states and brought into cor
dial and cooperative relations with the navy, is
another important achievement. There are now
~eali>toi IN these Organizations 1890 men, and
theysa-e likely to be greatly extended. Tree
Will encourage and develop this movement.
The recommendations of the secretary will, lido
not doubt, receive the friendly consideration OF
congress. FOR he has enjoyed. us he has deserved,
the confidence OF all those interested IN the de-
vclopment of our navy without anv division
upon partisan lines. | earnestly express the
hope that q work which has made such noble
progress may not be stayed.
The Wholesome influence for peace and in
creased sense of security which our citizens
domiciied i'll other lands feel when those mag
nificant ship s under the American flag appear is
already most gratefully apparent. The steam
ship from our navy which will appear in the
ha-bor o. New York will be a convincing dem
onstration to the world that the United States
has q great naval uOJeT.