The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06
AMERICAS GRAND NAVY
Secretary Herb ,rL's Flrst Annual Ri
port.

Secretary Herb ,rL's Flrst Annual Ro
port.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The first
annual report Of Secretary Hilary A.
Herbert Is an interesting summary OF the
progress male in naval construction
since the Inauguration Of the new Amerl'
can steel navy with the result of replac'
ing with high powered, swift and formid-
able steel ships nearly all ofthe old tim
ber sides that mads up the naval list at
the close of war. The report also con.
tains strong recommendations in some
cases OF radical nature, such as those
touching the proper scope of our favorite
cruisers, that gather weight from Secre.
tary Herbert's long experience as Chair.
man Of the House Naval Committee,
and his thorough mastery of the details
OF the Naval Department.
The report begins with statement
of the progress made since tde last re.
port, disclosing the fact that nine yes-
sells have been launched in that spacs Of
time, while elk new vessels have been
completed and commissioned. The
speeds attained on trial were in most
cases in excess OF the requirements. In
fact, the largo premium secured caused
much comment. The Secretary, how.
ever, argues that the premiums are not
mere gratuities or clear profit to the
builders OF the vessels. They are incen.
tives TO diligence and have not resulted
in Injustice to the government for the
ship-builders have always taken into the
calculations when bidding the am ounts
it was possible to earn as premiums.
To avoid disputes, which have occurred
In the past, ip the new contracts the con.
tractors have been required 10 defray
the expenses of the trial trips.
The report shows that the total mum.
Der of serviceable war ships in the United
States Navy is forty-one, fifteen of which
is armored. In addition there are sixty
four vessels on the list, mostly wooden
cruisers, barges and antiquated monitors
that are set down as unservlceable Tor
war purpose.
Tables are given showing the naval
strength OF the leading powers, and a
comparison drawn from them shows the
Uuited States seventh in the rank OF
naval powers.
The Secretary requests authority to
devote $3.50, 900 authorized for the con:
struction of a vessel eimlar to the Vesu
vius to the construction of three torpedo.
boats, and also recommends an incrsase
of the limit of the cost of swift torpedo
cruiser authorized by the Act of 1890.
30 as to enable the Department to have
this vessel laid down during the next
fiscal year. .-
A recapitulation of the proposals. is-
sued for new vessels during the year
winds up with the statement Of the bids
for constructing the three new gun boats.
These bids were very much lower than
any heretofore received BY the Govern
ment, but before accepting them the
plans will be examined by a second
board which is expected to report this
week.
The Secretary devotes much space 10
bis report to Lhe discussion Of naval
ordinance and armor. He says The
weight of foreign opinion is in favor OF
limiting the size of guns to twelve inch
callbre and the weight to fifty tons.
He claims that the new eight inch nickel
steel gun ready tor assembling, combin-
ing the employment of a material never
before used for gun construction, an
| entire new proce OF assembling, will
give increased efficiency at the already
reduced cost of manufacture.
Comment is made upon the growing
foreign practice ofinstalling on war ships
as many rapid fire and machine guns as
can be properly protected, and toward
the extension OF rapid fireing system to
guns OF higher calibre.
Probably the most important chapter
in the report treats Of the naval policy
OF the country. Mr.. Herbert recalls
President Cleveland's recommendation
to Congress in 1885 looking to the IN
crease OF naval establishments, and Sec
retary Whitney's successful efforts to
tlnaugurate a new policy 10 this respect.
He says that our navy has not yet come
up to the standard, that our navy shall
be as efficient when compared with
others as that which the country pos
sessed before the era of modern ships,
aud when our sea ports were deemed to
be. as they are certaninly not now, am
ply provided with Notifications fully up
to the requirements of the age.
The Secretary says we have now build,
ing only four vessels which can proper
lY be denominated first class battleships
The cruisers and gunboa:s we now have
built and are building constitute al eff
cient fleet, and will prove sufficient when
they shall all be in commission for crulss
Ing purposes in ordinary tines and to
look after our commerce abroad.
Pianos and Organs.
| Now Is the time to buy summer plan
1926 cash balance November 18th 1898.
Will huy Pjano at SpOt cash price S10