New-York tribune., 1894-04-08
PLANS OF WARSHIPS STOLEN
BRITISH DESIGNS OFFERED FOR SALE
HERE.

ALLEGED INFORMATION FROM THIS COUNTRY
PRINTED IN THE ENGINEER" OF LONDON
London, April 1.-THE Engineer publishes a
letter from America stating that the drawings
Of the machinery Of Yarrows new torpedo
destrover Uavock which were stolen some time
ago. have been offered for sale In the Ohi'eo
States.
The letter saws that persons acting In the inter
est of the United States Government are en-
deavoring to obtain information concerning
other British war vessels and also TO get
plans of the large merchant ships now peihs
constructed in England. but the writer says
they act with such caution that their detection
is made extremely difficult.
The letter further says that, prior 10 the theft
OF the drawings Of the machinery Of the Havock'
application was made to the Yarrow Shipbuild-
ing Company by an American official for ihtor-
nation concerning the construction OF the Dohers
which were to be placed In the new torpedo de-
stroyer This information was fatty refused
but within six weeks that same o'hciai was III
possession Of the plans he wanted.
The Engnecr's' correspondent asserts that
Americans in England and Englishmen IN
America are furnishing information the cnar-
acter OF which enabled American yacht-puil1ers
to obtain the lines Of English cup-racers pcIo,r
the building Of the cup-defenders was pes"" III
The Enrineer' SAYS II withholds only one
naragraph OF the letter, which reflects upon tne
chief engineer Of = certain yard wnere meh-oi-
war are constructed. the paragraph containing
statements which It is not advisable to print
Washington. April Naval officers declare
that the anonymous communication IN me
Iondnn Engineer Is not worth noticing, for the
sInnI. reason that the English officials are con-
si,n,lv attacking the integrity n Americans as
10 the alleged theft of British secrets without
ever giving such definite particulars ds u nrlns
forth complete and convincing rcfutati0n. Brit-
ish methods have always been secretiVe appar-
entity t. no purpose except 10 prevent GERMANY
Russia and France from profitIng by the mis-
takes that are made. .
American ingenuity has been turned 10 better
purpDge For the past ten years most OF the
radical advances in naval methods have been
made hy this country and France. II is not true
that the American Navy Deplrtm ment has spent
any money I'm recent years for any English de-
signs Copies ~ all our drawings have been
checrfully made FOR Other governments ana
large amount of work e. done In all oar naval
bureaus to satisfy the requests made by all the
legations at Washington. NJ request for infor-
nation ~ this nature has ever been refused by
this Government except that rela ling 10 army
fortifcat.ons.
lea the bargains are made between individuals.
and the dishonesty mus; be- on the other side or
tho water. American yachts are photographed
promiscuousy both I'm the water and ont Of II.
while II Is well known that English yachts are
draped In canvas before they are docked In
American waters. chief Engineer Melville says
| our lates, engines are In every way superior 10
tho best English machinery. "a has been proved
IN actual trial He has never offered nor paid
dollar for any data about torpedo boat boilers
and does no, think he will eyer have occasion 70
do 80.