The morning call., 1893-12-01

rapidly as possible. and the vessel will
probably be ready for her sea trial within
six months.
"The progress of work on the double
turreted monitor Puritan of 5000 tons is
satisfactory, and it is expected that the
vessel will be ready for trial about July /
next
'The double-turreted monitors Terror,
Amphitrite and Monadnock of 1890 tons
each are approaching completion in the
order named. 1t is believed that they will
all be ready for trial during the first half
OF the next year.
''The protected cruiser Olympia Of $500
coming week.
Work on the protected cruisers Cincin-
natl and Raleigh of 1888 tons each is pro-
crossing with as much dispatch IS possible,
and both vessels will be ready for trial by
March next.
''rhe cruiser MarbIehead of 1000 tons is
50 far advanced that. the department ex-
poets that her acceptance trial will take
place within short time.
THE cruiser Montgomery of 2OOO tons
was taken to Long Island Sound in Octo-
ber last for her trial trip. and was acc-
dentally run aground before the trial be-
gan. The heavy shock sustained from her
contact with the rugged bottom caused in
juries whic h will not be repaired for some
weeks to come. The accident. however.
resulted in demonstrating the excellence
of the material of which she is built. The
contractors in whose hands she was at the
time, and who were responsible for the
mishap. are making the necessary repairs.
THE armored harbor-defense ram Ka-
tahdin of 2IS3 tons will be ready for trial
about January l. 1895, by which date it is
expected that her armor will have been
delivered and Dolted in place.
THE torpedo-boat Ericsson should be
completed by the end of the present fiscal
year.
"The sea-going battle-ship Iowa. of
1926 tons. will be completed. from present
indications, February l, 1896, and the
armored cruiser Brooklyn, of 9l50 tons,
about six months later.
THE production of modern high-power
guns at the Washin gton factory is progress
ing satisfactorily. The gun plant at this es-
adjustment is not surpassed by any in the
world, and increased experience has re-
suited during the past year in still greater
Z.
Up TO the present time there have been
completed for service 237 guns, ranging In
caliber from 4-inch to 13-inch, all of which
have not only proved successful upon trial,
but have also given results which show
cOneIusively that tho general system of
construction employed has no superior in
foreign countries
1.-The maximum ealiber of guns building
is Is inches. In the past guns have been
built for the main batteries of battle-ships
abroad of a caliber as high as 1915 inches
and weighing over 100 tons, but practical
experience under So vice conditions afloat
has proved them Undesirable for naval
use.
During the pasryear the 10-inch and p
inch guns of the Monterey have been care
fully tested under ordinary service condi-
tiOns and their mounts found to work sue
cessfully. This fact has led the depart
ment to adopt the same type for the 13-
inch mounts OF the battle-ships.
"The department is pleased to state that
a new source Of powder supply is now as
sured on the Pacific Coast. During the
past year the first lot of brown powder
manufactured by the California Powder
Company of Santa Cruz, Cal, was re-
ceived. The lot was for use with the G.
inch gun aud has been tested with most
gratifying results. The department is
still experimenting. with somo success.
with emmensite and the nitrate high ex-
plosiyes with guns up to and including G.
inch cailber, and the manufacture of
armor-plerclng projectiles in this country
is now well established. For small arms
rifles Of .315 to .256 caliber have been found
to be effective. although the arm at present
used is of As caliber. The board, however,
has recommended an arm of .2S6 caliber.
Both the Howell and Whitehead torpedoes
have been tested and found effective
''The tests of armor plates a. the naval
proving ground at Indian Head during the
past year have been most important, some
exceeding in severity any ever attempted
either In this country or abroad. The re-
suits of these tests have been conclusive in
demon strating the desirability of using the
Harvey process for the armor OF all the
vessels now under construction"
The matter of the construction of a sub
marine boat is still under consideration.
Concerning the continued Improvement in
the navy the Secretary has this to say:
"If our Government in the future is to
nave naval sIrengtn enough TO command
the peace and be in condition to enforce
the terms dictated by It's sense of right and
Justice it mus. have more battle-ships,
and must build q reasonable number of
torpedo-boats.
mo one can value economy more highly
than l do, and its practice Is certainly
necessary at this time, when the Govern
ment expenditures are likely to be more
than its receipts, but the safety of the
country, its honor and its dignity must rise
above every other consideration, and it is
respectfully submitted that the programme
of authorizing the building of at least
some vessels at each session OF Congress
ought not TO be interrupted now. rec
ommend that the construction of at least
one battle-ship and six torpedo-boats be
authorized by Congress at the coming ses-
SION"
The personnel of the navy is touched
upon and commended, and the Secretary
gives his approval to the formation of
naval militia in the several States.
The Secretary desires that naval courts.
martial be given power to subpoena and