The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-01

ing, the strength We Possessed Before
the Era of Modern ships-Mr Herbert
Is Pleased With the Naval Militia but
| mel of the Navy.
Washington, November 3O-Secretary
of the Navy Herbert's first annual report
states that since his predecessors last
report, nine naval vessels have been
launched while six new vessels have been
completed and commissioned. The
speeds attained on the trials in mostcases
were in excess of the requirements. The
total number of serviceable war vessels
now in the navy is Al, Is of which are
armored. Sixty-four vessels on the list.
mostly wooden cruisers, tugs and anti
quated monitors, are unserviceable for
war purposes. Tables are given show
ing that the United States is seventh in
rank of the naval powers. The secretary
requests authority to devote the $3.50 600
authorized for the construction of a ves-
sci similar to the Vesuvius to the con-
structiOn of three torpedo boats, and re-
commends an increase of the limit
cost of the swift torpedo cruiser ar
lied by the act of 1890 to enable :
partment to have this vessel La
during the next fiscal year.
The secretary finds much to be
OF in the knowledge that we can fu1
material for and build modern ships
war as quickly and as well as any countr,
in the world. He feels confident that
some of our shipyards rival the best in
Europe. The secretary states that the
vessels completed since March 4, 1885.
have cost s25, 900, 1872. On these the pre-, pre,
miums have aggregated $685., ,916. the
heaviest, $200,000 being earned by the
New York. This statement does not in
clude the Columbia and other vessels
completed since the end of the last fiscal
year. There are now in process of con-
structlon, or authorized to be built. yes-
sells upon which have been expended $780,
7O1. .O56.
The Secreatry approves the small arms
boards recommendation that the navy
De equipped with a magazine rifle of 1856
callbre, to use smokeless powder which
VIII give muzzle velocity of 2400 foot
seconds and aan effective range of a
mile and half. The Secretary says our
navy has not yet come up to standard
as efficient wnen compared with others,
as that which this country possessed be-
loAO ouo cIet VI InOueru Sn1pS, Wnen our
seaports were deemed to be, as they are
not now, amply provided with fortifca-
tIons fully up to the requirements of the
age. We have now building only four
vessels properly denominated as first
class battle ships The Secretary makes
strong argument in support of the
contention that the navy has now suffi-
cient number of cruisers and should be
further strengthened by battleships. He
recommends that the construction of
at least one pattleship and six torpedo
boats be authorized by Congress at this
coming session.
The Secretary again calls the attention
of Congress to the alarming state of the
personnel of the navy, and says he is
preparing plans for reorganization of
the line of the navy. He recommends
that the number of enlisted men and
boys in the service be increased by 1000.
Qualifications expressed at the public
interest manifested in the naval militia.
The total number of men in the naval
militia of seven states is 376
Touching the competitive examination
system of selecting mechanics in navy
yards, the Secretary says there is no
doubt that the system of employing
laborers without reference to politics
and making merit the sole test of re-
tention and advancement, is greatly to
the benefit of the government
The report presents estimates for the
next fiscal year aggregating S27, 1885, ,914
The appropriation for the current fiscal
year is $22, 504, 061.