Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-15

-
he president says
On the 4th OF hIarch, 1885, the fleet of
be United States navy, apart from few
d ships long since obsolete and fast going
decay, consisted Of three modern steel
essels, OF an aggregate tonnage OF 1868
bns and mounting - 6-inch and 4 S-inch
lns, the forgipgs for which last, as we'll as
% shafting for the vessels, had been pur
hssed from abroad, as they could not be
ade in this country.
Onr now navy, including all vessels built
authorized, now consists of the following
sSes
One seagoing battle ship first class,
rec coast-line battle ships first class, two
httle SHIPS second class, six double-tur-
tied harbor-defense vessels two armored
users, one ram, two protected cruisers of
IRENE speed, IA cruisers, one dispatch
ssel, SIX gunboats, one dynamite vessel
10 torpedo boats, making a total of ~
ssels.
The development of the past four years
s not been confined to ships alone At
beginning OF this administration the
val establishment was entirely destitute
certain elements of efficiency, each one of
lich was indispensable to its practical EN-
Pyment as a fighting force, and the
'ence of which, if it had been possessed of
hundred ships would still have left it in
1dition of paralysis.
These were the following: Armor, torpe-
es, heavy rapid guns, armor- piercing
Ills, smokeless powder, high explosives.
In March, 1857, tho navy was still with
armor, although contract made two
ars before provided for a future supply.
is armor was to be made of simple steel. A
1tract for a like amount was made with
pther firm in 1890, and led to the cree
of second plant. Both plants are
" furnishing IN aterial. In the meantime q
iea of exhaustive experiments, lasting
Or three years, resulted in the develop
Mt OF an armor of new composition and
ated by a new process, far superior to
hitherto known, and destined to furnish
standard both of quality and msnufac-
for the great naval powers of Europe.
1889 the navy had several ships in
cess of construction that were designed
fitted for torpedoes, but it had no tor
oes that could be used from the ships,
was there any concern that could make
20 in this country. Since that date the
pufacture of the Whitehead torpedo. the
,t efficient known has been domestic
contract has been made for 100 49,
torpedoes of the most recent tyne.
eral of these have completed and are
undergoing adjustment trials; the re-
nder will be ready for service in a short
1889 the navy had no heavy rapid fire
s. Since that time these guns have de-
ped OF calibres of 4, 5 and inch, the
ass of which under trial has proved
plete. The difficult problems presen ted
these guns, in reference to breech
hanism, metallic cartridge cases, and
Fr essential features have been overcome.
maximum rapidity of fire has been
aimed with each calibre, all parts Of the
working perfectly.
Though the few ships that had been
pleted in 1889 were armed with high
or guns, we had no projectile that could
Q the slightest Impression on ermor-
ng This species of projectile, which
exceedingly difficult to make, and had
the = on.1poly of one or two firms in
Dpe, is npw turned out in abundant
titles by American manufacturers: and
pit trials Justify the assertion that the |
esuc manufacture entered upon under |
ostering care and encouragement of the |
department, has already passed the |
gn product.
lie remarkable advantages Of smokeless |
Ter, then recent European invention,
he department, in 1889, to undertake |
evelopment in this country. BY indie
ent investigation and experiments, CON
ed by its own agencies, at its own es-
shments, it has succeeded in developing
okeless powder which in efficiency and
ance gives better results than any
n powder abroad.
1859 no high explosive was known in
country which gave the powerful rend-
fec: required for naval use, and which
Rt the Same time sufficiently safe aud
to be employed as a bursting charge
eils under ordinary conditions. Care
nj protracted experiments have at last
oped high explosive that can safely
ed IN shells fired from high power guns
service powder giving service ve!oci-
he shells charged with the new ex-
Fe are not only unnjured by the dis
Re or the gun, but can be fired through
r plates and burst at will beyond
progress herein noted, both in ships
IN ordnance, by which the United
has emerged from its condition of
ssness at sea, and by the employment
own resources, has dstauced its more
isnCeu CoHlpellIOTN, MARKS an epoch IN
oval development not only of this
Try but OF the world
roGros. of Recent Contraction.
the ships now under construction the
it, Montgomery, Machias and Ban
all of which were launched during
4st year, will shortly have their trials
placed in commission for service at
lval review.
three battle ships, constituting by far
ost important addition to tue navy
as vet been authorized, are making
progress. The Indiana and Massa-
Is, building at the works Of Messrs.
M Cramp q Soma, Philadelphia, are
psi advanced, and VIII soon be ready
Rnching The Oregon, building at the
works, San Francisco, is Iuly in
with berth-deck beams and plating
g. and outside plating half comp eted.
es'el Is being pushed, and will be
for launching in May next
armored cruiser New York, building
cssrs. William Cramp a. Sons will
ly for her trial trip within the next
mcnths, and will immediately be
In commission as the flagship of the
: ron OF Review.
two protected high-speed cruiser,
bian and Minneapolis formerly No.
No, 49,, building Mt the spn,a val