New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-01
PRAISE FOR THE WHITE FLEET
ADMIRAL HOPKINS SPEAKS HIGHLY OF IL.
HE SAYS THE AMERICAN CRUISERS ARE SECOND
TO NONE-NEw ENGINES FOR THE CHICAGO.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.1


fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE1
Washington April 3O-It Is Interesting at all times
to know what foreigners say of the Navy Of this
country and when the remarks on the subject are
made by those who are both fair and intelligent such
statements are valuable. Officers of the Navy had
opportunities recently TO talk With Nic"Admral Hop
kins. commanding Her MajcSy'S naval force now In
NewICrk Ilarbor. and this distinguished officer was
pleased TO say some complimentary things Of naval
development on this side OF the water. Sir John has
kceny observed naval progress in this country, and
his remarks on the subject are important. In
speaking with an American commander the other day.
he said among other things, rs he looked ont Of The
Bake's gun ports at the white huls Of Admiral
Gherardis fleet:
Your plans and our plans and methods OF con
strucon are nearly alike that just comparison In
point OF quality would be difficult. We frequently
disagree in The matter OF details Of designs exc
cuions bu, always for good and special reasons.
The United States should have good Navy. and II
you continue upon the lines already laid down you
will have one which the most critical will envy.
Yon began the great work ut an auspioloa> time.
other nations have been experimenting Tor years
with ships engines and guns: you began at time
when results are definite. and your success has
necessarily been remarkable. That Is. We on The
other side sowcd the seed aud YOU reap The harvest
Now IS our turn 70 get benefits from you. and ""
propose TO adopt your Iarvcyizcd armrr plate, and
such otter valuable inventions a. your bright OH crS
may make successful Tho vessels of your NAVY
which lave seen. and those which have read de
scriptions Of equal the best Of their Lind abroad.
Til, can also be said OF your guns and machinery.
Your frstclass firms are just capabl" Of turning
ont magnificent and efficient vessels rs any on our
side OF the water lou have much to h. pond Of.
and when ! think Of how quickly and quietly II has
all been done ! must say IT i remarkable n"nr
ships are magniicently handled aud kept 10y their
officers"
The vice-Admlral thought tie English system Of
educating officers preferable To that followed III
this country. ON this subject he sail:
If thorough all round education i, Il prerequisite
70 the making Of an officer. he BE- better taught ~
here than afoat and there ycn nav" rs; but II The
practical training board ship from an early ag" oil
the planting In the Young mind Of III" theory ana
practice OF never falling ob.di, ard command. Is
III, essential. We are the better Off Yon take >our
Youngsters T. when they are ab,nt twenty YEAR
old. Ours Join ship when enthusiastic ana I'm
prcssiOnablc, yours when their characters are prac
ilcally formed Ny experience is that boy !, better
on if he begins tie hardship, Of naval career when
quite younc-hc does not have to nnrarn - MANY
things. ard have such difficulty In practising self
denial and thorough aud prompt obedience - Ill calls
Of duty"
The Nice-Admira also thought that long time en-
nstments were better for efficiency than the sEoit
required I'm This country.
few days before bis departure fer the naval
rendezvous and review, secretary Herbert said that
imperative that the United statrs fleet be- dis
banded AT an early date, the public Interests re-
quired the service, Of the vessels IN The home ana
for ign ttons. According 10 the departments plan,
Admiral Ghcrnrdi', squadron will be- separated ni
once. As Acting secretary, Commodore Ramsay has
directed that the Charleston proceed 70 Norfolk for
PAIRS without delay. Her hydraulic steering gear
works unsatisfactory. and other parts Of her
machinery require repair. which viii aHe about ,iAiy
ordered 10 Norfolk for repairs which viii occupy
fully fifty days. The :an Francisco ana the Iennng
ton 60 TO the New York Yard tomorrow. ana will he
put I'm thorough order During ia" week other YES
sci, Of Admiral Gherardl's squadron Will very likely
b. ordered TO the New ork ami Norfolk Navy Yards
for examinations by boards Of officers, wi II view 10
probable tina by next saturday al OF the hand
white cruiser now riding ~ anchor In North RIVER
will b. In the ands Of ship machniss and carpenters,
for important and other Tor trlnrg rcpnir- ne
10 iii the ships for efficient sea service. either
for short long cruises.
Fortunately most vessels Of Admiral Gh"rardi's
ton AT the naval work, shops will be brief. tn" sound
ness Of the policy Of using only the best quality Of
material ard workmanship in the construction Of YES
sells even at an increased original cost j. clearly
demon strnted ~ reports Of their present good cond
ton after or less sever" service. TIL" present
efficiency Of the machinery Of the cruisers IS high
tib,c the ability and fidelity Of their designers and
builders II is possible that the Chicago will 90 out
Of commits sion aud receive engines and boilers.
The recent repairs on the ship were not extensive.
and were only mad" 10 1T her for short service. II
Is proposed TO put expansion engines and cylin
drlcal boilers in III" Chicago In place OF her b"nm
engines and old tsp" boilers. The change would
enable the ship 10 steam eighteen insend Of fifteen
knots and make room for 300 additional tons Of coal
The change world cost about T51O0 0o bnt III" greatly
increased speed and coal capacity secured would ap
pear 10 warrant tue expenditure