The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-12
1t Has Been Brought to a High
State Of Efficiency.
SECRETARY TRAcYs REPORT
Nineteen War Vessels Completed and
Eighteen Under Construction.
development OF the Best Armof Plate
In tho World, Creation OF Establish.
ments for Its Manufacture and Pro.
motion OF Gun Works.

WASHINGTON CRY. Dec. 1.-THE secre.
tary OF the navy. in his annual report,
sets forth the fact that when the present
administration came in on March 1, 1889,
besides the old and obsolete wooden ships
only three modern war vessels weresin
commission. During the present admin.
istratlon nineteen new vessels, with an
aggregate tonnage of 81, s32 tons, snount.
ing two Finch, six 10-inch, sixteen s-inch
ana eighty-two 6-inch guns. all of which
with the exception Of five of the earliest
nave been manufactured in this cos1ntry,
nave been completed. Three new steel
tugs have also been constructed and put
IN service. There are in process OF con-
structlon eighteen new vessels, certain to
De completed should the armor be deliv.
ered within the next year, of an aggregate
tonnage OF 93, 491 tons. and mounting alto
gether twelve 13-inch, six Pinch, sixteen
W-inch, thirty S-inch, thirty-two einch,
th'rty-eight 5-inch and thirty-four z-inch
guns, all of which have been or are TO be
manufactured in this country.
The development in the past four wears
has not been confined to ships alone. At
the beginning of this administration. saws
VIC IA CotbuliSlUcylt vas
entirely destitute of certain elements of
emciency. each one of which was .ndis-
pensable to its practical employment as a
ngh ting force, and in the absence of which,
IL 1t had been possessed of a hundred
ships, would still have left it in condition
OF paralysis. These were: Armor, tor
pedoes, heavy rapid-fring guns, armor
piercing sheels, smokeless powder and
high explosives. The secretary details at
length the noteworthy progress III the
production of these things. and says the
progress noted, by which the United
states has emerged from Its condition of
heipiessness at sea and by the en-
pioyment of its own resources,
d as distanced its most experienced
competitors. and marks an epoch In naval
development not only of this country but
OF the world. The delays in the delivery
OF armor have caused the dates of the final
completion Of armored vessels under con-
struction to be somewhat later than at
first contemplated. The only compensa-
ton for this delay is the superior quality
of the armor that has been recently de-
veloped.
In connection with the development of
nickel-steel for armor, the department has
undertaken series of experiments in the
application of this material to other eur.
poses, the construction of which has
promised no less important resu Is
than those already attained If the exrec-
tations now formed are realized it will not
be long before nickel-steel will be extern
sively used both in ship frames and
marine engines. with a marked improve
ment both in the strength of parts and re-
duction of weight, while its non-corrodible
qualities, already partly demonstrated.
point to the probability that it may uiti-
mately present a solution for the harrass-
ing problem of preserving the submerged
plating of ships.
Coming down to detailed statement as
to armor tests, the secretary tells of the
work accomplished and of the tremen-
dous test to which Harvey nickel-steei
armor plate was subjected in November,
1891. as the result of which improved
methods were introduced in its manufac-
ture by the Harvey process and final
test made on July 80 last:
The plate was of nickel-steel, Harveyei. Of
ten and one half inches thickness An s-inch
gun was used in the test. Five Hotter forced
steel shells, weighing 80 pounds each, with a
striking velocity of 200 feet per second aad
each with an energy OF 5000 tons to the square
foot, were fred at plate at a distance of thirty
yards. Never before these trials had any armor
plate in the world been subjected to such a tost
as was represented by these FIVE blows of a total
energy of 25,o00 foot tons All FIVE OF the pro-
iectiles were mashed upon the surface OF the
plate which showed no sign OF injury
beyond the opening of small temper
crack four inches in length from one
edge and a wsle less than one inch
in thickness on the back of the plate opposite
each point of impact. This result has never
been approached before by any srmor plate,
American or foreign. 1t has been demonstrated
that the United States in the construction OF i.s
new navy which, ten years ago. had no exiss.
ence even on paper, ia enabled to place upon
each and all of its armored vessels material, tho
like of which the world has not up to this
time seeu, and while vast sums have been spen.
in plating the sides OF foreign men-ofwar with
inferior material, this country will employ fcs
the purpose an armor which is not only far
more efficient, but which represents unQueg.
tionably, having reference to the d.
mension plates thus far tested. ths
highest development OF modern science
development reached by its own
independent efforts. Following our example. the
English government four weeks ago had q triai
OF the new American armor, and it is clear from
the highly successful results that the United
States, instead OF being last IN the race of con.
struction of vessels of war, or of borrowing the
best ideas from abroad. has set an example in
this spect which other maritime nations wiz
speedily follow.
With regard to armor contracts the Sec
retary says:
Neither the Bethlehem nor Carnegie comps-
MES are making such progress at present as the
denartynanst could desire. but both ara in
creasing their output from month to
month, and the department is now pre-,
pairing to advertise for proposals for the
remainder of the armor required TO com
plete the vessels now authorized. When these
plants are able 10 turn out, will shortly be the
case, the full quantity of armor 10 be required
by contract, the aggregate supply will still
amount to only 9.oo0 per annun, or not more
than enough for the construction of three
ssttle ships. To provide armor for eight such
ships in addition TO those now authorized
would require three years after the fulflimeui
OF the present contract, with the works run-
ming at full capacity 1t Is the belief of this
department II common with the naval COM
mite OF the present house. that this mum Ter of
additional battle ships is essential TO the pro-
lection OF the United states. Ii Is upon such
vessels that this country. as Others having sea-
board, relies and must continue to
rely for purposes OF defense long as
naval warfare remains what il is today Without
them We are helpless et sea- With the plants ia
existence. we cannot only arInor ships now au-
,horized, but we have rnesns at hand for grInor-
ing Others IL we make our preparations in time.
The vaiue 10 the United states OF the possession
os'two such establishments cannot be expressed
in words or figures.
ln reference 10 the ordnance Of the navy.
the secretary makes extended reference to