The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-10-27
THE Nkrr GROUy' Or SHIPS.
A Chance for Congress- to Adt several YES.
srls to the NAVY WIN small Oh lay.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2n-Tho last session OF
Congress authorized two fine new war ships.
ono hcing tho largest Of our battle ships and
tho other tho largest OF our armorcd cruisers.
1t Ia hardly expected that tho coming session
will duplicate this performance.
One potent argument TINT will be brought
to bear against authorizing another baltic
shin Ia tho delay TINT hns attended tho rro-
duction OF the plates for those already under
construction. This delay oven induced the
House at the last session to vote for mn
nrmored cruiser only, the plates for such n
ship beinE more easily procurahle: hut after.
ward. In a compromise with tho Senate. which
had adopted a much more expanded pro-
crAmme. 1t concluded to add ono battle ship.
hut at tho coming session tho long strike at
Homestead, with its resulting delays. will
greatly strengthen tho argument against
authorizing more battle ships Just now. nl-
though It would 10 but n moderate provision
to add one each year.
Another important consideration IL Tint Mt
tho last session no appropriation was made
for tho hnttlo ship which was authorized. Tho
advocates OF the vessel consented that this
arrangement should DO made. since what they
wero chiefly anxious about was that there
should bo no delay. This purpose Inns been
accom- lished. The plans for q battle shin
hive boon, completed. proposals for it's con
struction have heen invited, and. soon after
Congress meets tho contract will be awarded:
have to provide the first instailment OF pay
ments on this vessel precisely rs I 1t were. II
addition. 1t Viii have to provide installments
ON al the other vessels. great md small. still
"I,hsuv GS'n nerTnr, kcl nr t., Ln GJre cHn nsr r
dispos"d after the Presidential election is
over. may decide TINT 1t will, hnvo to doen4uGh
In nnva! construction without undertaking
moro battle SHIPS.
Under these circumstances, while It is still
.cd-d. nttentlo ion has h"en naturally directed
to some far less extensive types OF vessels
which will prove useful. one oi these. Is, tor
that va, now have Is tn" Veslvius. and. rs she
H. fitted only tor rnsnma,ir torpI;ioes. sh,
class. emo regular torpedo cruiser Of speed
fur exceeding that Of the Nesuvius was author
iIcI ~ " previous Congress. bit there were no
was too low. considering the spred demanded.
1t would take worry small additional sum to
gtxc us this torpedo cruiser. .
.,r,hore is ais" IL ncci Of three or four small
light. draught cruisers or gnnbcnts for river
stations. They could 6" whore larger Vessels
could not. and as they would not exceed the
displacement OF the Detroit. or 1000 tons; and
tons. they would not cost ,uuch. aud the first
installments would be but II small addition to
Finally. there are the torpedo bonts. Of which
we have thus far 4n,y thr"o the Gushing. No.;
and the Stiletto. This is "A n.oor show CON pared
with the scnres Of such craft rossessel by tho
other lending maritime nations. ANA yet they
nro considered a. specially useful tor country
asuressi:n and rhichs has " an sn"r 1nt"slI 1 lons
scnboard TO protect.
Thus It IL clpnr that tho comin session can
make = very good record for itself hy attend.
ing to acme Of these minor types OF vessels.
The light.drRugr { cruisers would b" mainly
Tor station service. bu; tlioy would be econoni-
iral 4" maintain. CARRYING small crews. and
they might allow come OF our bigger and NOR.
expensive shirs 70 he laid w in ordinary in
time Of peace. Nowadays our construction
seems directed to two widely different classes
Of vessel. One. and tn. more i,ni ortant. in
rludcS tho h!G line-uf-hattl" ships meant to
stand and llrht any conner nni tn. fast cruis-
crs. nrmOrel or unarmor"l. that nrc TIC
enough to have very powerful engines aud
carry n great supply Of c,aI. Tine other are
the .sn.nll craft. for special purposes. yet useful
In their way.