The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-25
THE INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
SECRETARY HERBERTs REPORT SUE
MITTED TO THE PRESIDENT.


Ht VIII Rscompeus the Buiidius Of OaIy
One Battle ship, and that the Mo.ey APP
proPrinted for = Duplicate orths vssuvius
and for n Submarine Boat ne Devoted 20
the Construction OF six Torpedo Boats.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 24.-The annual report OF
Secretary Of the Navy Herbert has been com
pleted and submitted to the President for con-
sideratlon before II Is finally sent to the
printer The report will contain few recon-
mendatlons for the increase OF the naval es-
tabshment. The known indisposition Of the
present Congress to make large approprla-
lions for any purpose. except what is abso-
lutely required for the administration OF the
Government. and the prospect OF little money
being voted for the navy this session
has Influenced the Secretary in reducing
the estimates for the service far be-
low that which he believes It should have.
He will ask that one battle ship be authorized.
and that q small appropriation be made OUT
right to begin the con struction OF the vessel.
but no lump sum will be requested. The SEQ
retary's well-known advocacy OF this type Of
vessel over all others. when he was Chairman
Of the House Naval Affairs Committee, result
ed In the three battle ships provided two years
ago, and the fourth. the Iowa, authorized last
Congress. lie believes that for the present. at
lehbt, inc navy IN well pTONlueu WIN NeSbelS OF
the cruiser type. which are intended to show
our flag and perform all necessary service in
time Of peace Battle ships. tho Secretary boz
lleves, nro the backbone Of the navy. and the
more we have the better and stronger the
navy will be. lie has therefore decided to nsk
for one ship and six torpedo boats from this
Congress. Tho battle ship he believes should
be Of the same general design as the Indiana.
Massachusetts,. and Oregon. and not so large
as the Iowa. which by her great draught will
not be aDlo to enter some OF our seaports
The Secretary will approve the recommends
lions OF Capt. Sampson. Chief Of the Ordnance
Bureau. that the $3.50, 900 appropriated for a
duplicate Of the Vcsuvius be used for the con-
struction Of four torpedo boats OF the Ericsson
type and will ask Congress to authorize him
to mako this use OF the money. The appro-
priation was made conditionally that the Vesu-
vius proved successful. but as there is much
doubt as to the value Of the dynamite cruiser
the Secretary believes that the N on ey had bet
ter be used for other purposes. He will also
recommend that the 100000 appropriated
last Congress for a submarine boat and ex-
periments. be devoted to constructing torpedo
boats. This Is recommended by the Chief Of
Ordnance. The idea to construct the SUBJ
marine boat has been virtually abandoned for
the present. on account OF the uncertainty
type of craft. With authority to devote these
two appropriations for torpedo boats. six
could be built without any additional appro-
priation. All that would be necessary Is a
clause In the Naval Appropriation bill direct
ing the Secretary to use tho m oney In this way.
The estimates OF all the bureau chiefs will
be lower than those submitted for years. The
Bureau OF Construction. which usually gets
over million dollars for repairs for vessels.
will this, year submit estimates ios only $780,
600. and this amount will undoubted be con-
siderably DECREASED before 1t gets through
Congress. Tho sum IL considered en-
TREY Inadequate; considering .hs. the great
the repairs that will he necessary in the
next year. Tho largest sum that the Secretary
will ask for any one bureau Is $5.DOO.OUO to
pay for arnor already contracted for. This
armor is for vessels under construction. and
Construction and Steam Engineering require
StIyugHn to pay for ships and their engines
now building
1t is believed that the Secretary will ask for
an appropriation to commence the building o.
new dry dock at New Orleans. The ground
there il not enough money available to do
more than draw up the plans. These contem-
plate dry dock as large as the one building
thirty feet.
The Sscretary's report will treat at length
upon the advantages derived from the great
taught naval officers. The Secretary will also
speak Of tho necessity OF something being
done to put an end to stagnAtion in promotion
and to advance officers. particularly in the
lower grades. He will recommend that here
after there be some changes In the present
our war ships. and that In future every State
guard be cOmpelle ell to take cruise ON some
vessel Of the navy during few days In the
summer. There Will be 40 recon Inendati
OF any importance concerning the mprovs-
ments OF any OF tho navy. yards. principally on
account OF the expense that would have to be