New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-13
COMMODORE WILSON RE1IRES.
POOR HEALTH COMPELS HIS RESIGNATION
AS CHIEF CONSTRUCTOR OF THE NAVY.
NAVAL CONSTRUCTOR PHILIP HtcHnoEN NANhD
As HIS sUCCEssoR-BoTii MEN HAVE
NosT ENNI ARLE HECOkDS.
rny TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIDuNE.1

MOST ENNlABl>fs i'i-NOhD''
rny TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBuNEl
Washington, july An Important chahee III Wv
office 4, chief constructor OF The Navy was made
to-day. The resignation Of Commodore L. d. "isoH'
the present incumbent accepted ut h'' own r."
quest and Naval Constructor Philip IHcaborn was
appointed TO the place. Commodore "Hao" H"'
been chief Of the Bureau Of Construction Slh'e ioo-
His health has been undermined by arduou7 u"iS
as to make rest from all official cares ana f'spol,'
Utilities Absolutely necessary. Although coh>iucra"N
improved he will take two years leave OF absence ana
give himself up to a muchnceded and well-deser'ed
vacation. In his letter accepting Commodore WILSON
resignation Secretary Herbert says among o'her
things:
Il desire to express my regret that the state OIL
your health has compelled you to take 'his sup
In your retirement from the active duties OF your
position YOU will be able to look back with pressure
upon the great results which were achieved for 'he
United states Navy by the Bureau Of CONSTRUCTION
and Repair during the long period you were It's cheI'
Both Commodore Wilson and Naval Constructor
Hichborn the recipients this afternoon OF many
CONGRATULATIONS the for his past. able ana sue
cessful services In the work Of building up the new
Navy, and the other upon his succession TO an once
lie Is by education and experience so fully qualified
to fill.
Both the outgoing and the incoming Chief Con-
structor Of the Navy are representative Americans Of
high order. with respect to both character ana
ability They self made men, In the true sense,
who have attained by zeal and worth the highest
rank in their profession. TO Commodore Wilson Is
due the credit for having prepared the plans OF the
first steel ship OF the navy, The Chicago, and
from that time until the present with the exception
of the plans OF the Baltimore. Charleston and the
Texas which were purchased abroad OF the fh
adclpha and the Vesuvius designed by Messrs. Cramp
e. sons of the Dolphin, designed BY the Advisory
Board and OF the Cushing, built by the lierresh0H
Company. the plans of all the other vessels Of the new
navy have been prepared under his supervision
During his term of office calculations and plans have
been made for the completion OF five iron double
turrctcd monitors Of aggregate displacement OF
22.O2O tons; harbor defence vessel OF 4l3o
TONS one harbor defence ram of 2l63 tons. three
armorcd cruisers, aggregating 2o.04o tons: three
coast line battle ships of 10000 tons, one
seaCoing batleship Of $50 tons thirteen cruisers
ranging from 1000 to 1880 tons aggregatlng jl,6l0
tons six ginboas of from 500 TO LOO tons, aggre
eating $3.50 tons practice cruiser OF o3o tons,
one torpedo boat No p OF 100 tons. and three steel
tugs aggregating 576 tons. Thi, makes a total OF
thirty eight new vessels designed under the direction
of the ont going Chief Constructor aggregating In dis
placement 1j4,37O tons. His WORK In helping TO I'M
prove the construction OF plants at The several navy
yards been attended with equal zeal and success
Upon his advent into Office none OF the yards In the
country was In condition to build steel shir' 10
day the New-York and Norfolk yards are thoroughly
equipped for this work. and the yard at Mare lSlahd
is on an efficient footing. In recognition of his valI-
able services in designing and constructing modern
vessels OF war Con ncdCrc Wilson, elected few
days az IN honorary mcmbc, OF the Institution of
Naval Architects Of London This distinction Is now
cnjoF,G ly only four other lerstu.. OF whom the
present Englnecr-in Chief OF the Navy i one
The new Chief Constructor was graduated from lhe
Boston High school in 1850 lie and the present
junior Senator from Florida Mr.. Pasco. were ihc
only boys in the class of that year. Mter having
once declined the Office OF Assistant Naval Con
sructor. Mr.. itchborn accepted this place in lono
Since that date he has been continuously III thc
Naval service. Between then and 1879 he WAS en-
gagged at several navy yards IL the work OF con,
structing and repairing ships. lie exhibited marked
ability In his prOfessOn and was finally selected as
member OF the Board OF Inspection Of which the lat"
Admiral Porter president. III 1-e1 hc was
prominent member OF The Naval Advisory Board which
under secretary Hunt b,far the work OF rebuilding the
Navy. In 1884 he was ordered 10 the Bureau OF
Construction In the performance OF all duty he has
shown notable zeal and ability, and his selection to-
for the responsible duties or the head OF The
Bureau OF Construction IS a well deserved recognition
OF his past services and present work. Mr.. Witch
born has devoted good deal Of attention 10 literary
work His valuable book on the dOck-yards Of Europe
has become textbook among professionals con
structors. His recent article Oh "Sheathed or Tn
sbeathod Ships evoked favorable and widespread
notice both In this country and abroad. II X the
c0ceisus Of naval opinion that no better nna could
have been selected 20 carry on the important work
~ rphabatng the Navy than Mr.. IiitchbOrn.