The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-28

THE Indiana. Texas and Oregon have
had unofficial preliminary. trials under the
direction OF the contractors, and the Maine
had her official machinery trial on Oct. IL,
1884. her ngines developing an Indicative
horse power of 9,224.3 fo. four hours, and
showing an average speed Of 17.45 knots.
The last naval appropriation act con-
tanned a provision authorize lg the construc-
ton or three additional torled boats. The
department has carefully considered ques-
tions relating to the Development of this
type OF vessel. both at home and abroad,
and has finally decided upon the construc-
ton OF torpedo boats of tie general type
OF the Ericsson, with a slightly greater dis
placement, and to attain an average speed
OF not less than 2.5 knots on the accept
ance trial. advertisements for proposals
will soon be issued. and the department
hopes 20 award the contract for their con-
struc'lon within a few months. There has
been some delay In asking proposals for
these boats, arising out OF the failure OF
the contractors 10 have the Ericsson ready
for trial. II was desirable to know, before
letting out the new contracts. as nearly
as possible what the Ericsson could do.
Experience has shown the department the
great Importance OF thoroughly preparing
a vessel The frequent changes that have
been found necessary during the building
and expensive. The department is making
every possible effort to obviate, as far as
may be, such necessities in the future. No
speed premiums will be provided for in the
contracts for the building Of these vessels.
in the contracts for the construction of
sunboats Nos. z, s and 8 small premiums
and penalties were provided for. This sys-
tenn undoubtedly had it's advantages when
adopted. but reflection has convinced the
department that the time has come when,
wiz the experience that has been gained.
1t may with profit be abandoned In this
connection i would call your attention TO
the fact that the construction Of torpedo
boats Is still actively carried on abroad.
VESSELS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
"a reference to the report of the chief
constructor viii show that work on new
vessels now in course or construction has
advanced quite satisfactorily during the
past year. Progress in the construction of
our armored vessels was for many years
delayed by reason Of the unexpected Diff
~.culties encountered by contractors in the
manufacture Of armor. AS was anticipated,
however. in my last annual report, arnor
is now being delivered at such a rate as to
justify the expectation that both the COM
pshies now under contract with the govern
ment viii complete their deliveries during
the coming spring. The statements made
hereafter as TO the periods at which yes
sels are expected to be completed are there
fore advanced with full assurance that they
are reasonably accurate.
work on the hrSt-cidsS battle ship Iowa
Is progressing as rapidly as the require
mentS OF good workmanship will permit,
and II Is expected that the vessel win be
The frst-class battle ships Indiana, Massa-
chusettS and Oregon are well advanced
toward completion. and win be in condition
- 80 oOFNA NAl4ltlA
the coming year. The second-class battle
ship Maine will be ready for commissioning
being built at the New York navy yard.
and her recent machinery trial at sea indi-
Gates that she is 10 be a gratifying success.
Tn second-class battle ship Texas is prac-
tically ready for her machinery trial, and
should be completed and ready for commits
sioning a few months later. Work on the
armored cruiser Brooklyn Is progressing ia
vorably. and it is expected that this vessel
VIII be completed during the early months
or 1896. Rapid progress is being made on
the double-turreted monitors Puritan and
Monadnock. and these vessels will probably
be ready for trial before the end Of the
fiscal year. Work on the double-turreted
monitors Terror and Amphitrite is so we'll
advanced that, In case OF an emergency
these vessels could be prepared for service
within a few months. The armored ram
katahdin viii probably be completed during
the early part OF the next fiscal year. The
protected cruiser Olympia has been success
fully tried and is now practically ready for
commissioning.
The progress of work on the three gun
the Newport News Shipbui'ding and Dry
Dock Companys works. is such as TO indi-
cate that hey will be completed within
the contract time. Such an examination as
the department has been able TO make, with
the nrormation at its disposal. appears
20 justify the conclusion that these YES
SEES have been contracted for AT a price
per ton fully as low as is paid for similar
work In France and England"
KBARSARGE AND CONSTITUTION.
The Secretary next gives a list of the yes
sels In the navy and continues: "Of the
old wooden vessels of the navy which were
In active service at the date of my last
report, one. the Kearsarge. was wrecked
In February last, and her name has since
been regretfully stricken from the navy
list The loss OF this historic vessel was
reported to you at the time. Congress-,
sharing in the pathetic affection every
where felt for the gallant old ship. appro-
priated a sum of money sufficient. If 1T
could be done, 10 raise and tow her TO a
home port. A contract was accordingly
made by the department with the Boston
Towboat Company for this purpose. The
company sent a well-equipped vesse, TO
Rcucador reef. the scene Of the wreck. and
a naval officer was detailed to company
IL as a representative Of the goernment.
A careful examination made it evident
that the vessel could not be raised, and
the Wrecking party returned 10 NOrfolk