The record-union., 1894-11-28

W hen our new navy began to be con-
s1ructeo designers believed that it was
necessary to use woodwork extensiyelv
upon the lnsldes of vessels to prevent
the accumulation of moisture. and thus
70 promote the health of officers and
crew; Dut as far back as February 1882
attention was attracted to the objections
10 woodwork above enumerated, and
also to the fact that the accumulation OF
moisture was largely prevented by a
proper use Oh cork paint. Since that date
very much less wooden casing and mold
Ing has been used in the construction OF
our new vessels
Under the belief, however, that the de-
partment could and ought to go very
much further in this direction. and de-
string TO avail myself of the experience
acquired with steel vessels in different
Climates, L addressed letters to many
commanding officers and surgeons OF
ships, asking in detail their opinions as
To the extent to which woodwork could
be profltably left out of ships. The an
swers received favor, with great unanim-
lty, the leaving out of woodwork as far
as practicable. Pending the preparation
OF orders specifying details, | have di-
fected the suspension in ships now being
quilt OF all woodwork not absolutely nee
essary.
ORDINANCE.
The ordinance work at the Washington
gun factory has progressed satisfactorily y
curing The past year. Our plant, all OF
the newest pattern and most approved
design, was selected with the greatest
care and constructed with commendable
foresight. 1t remains unsurpassed in the
world
The number of main battery guns re-
qulred for vessels thus far authorized has
lot changed from that given in my re-
port OF last year, and is as follows: +
inch caliber, l07; 5-inch, S6: 6-inch al:
S-inch, rs; 10-inch, 26; 12-inch, l3; 13-
inch. r.
or the twelve 13-inch guns ten have
peen completed. and the remaining two
are III an advanced stage. OF the thirteen
IZ-lnch guns eight have been completed
and two OF them are now ahoat. All o1
The lO-Inch guns have Deen completed.
NECESSITY FOR SUPPLY OF ORDNANCE.
The guns required for the new vessels
heretofore authorized are now so nearly
completed that the construction of suf-
nclent reserve supply should be COM
menced without delay, and the depart
ment recommends an appropriation TO
that end
Inc most elementary maXims warn us
that II 1t be worth while to maintain a
navy at all, we must also have reserve
supply OF ordnance and ordnance stores,
ana certainly we need not call on military
vessels is of no value without guns.
Congress should give careful attention
TO the ordnance requirements OF vessels
that are liable to be called into service as
auXlllarleS III time of war, in accordance
with the Acts of Congress, providing that
steamers registered under the provisions
OF said Act can be used by the United
States as transports or cruisers. To men
ton no others, the Paris and New Y ork,
OF the lnman line, are now receiving
large sums of money annually on condi-
tion that they hold themselves in readi-
ness to serve the Government whenever
demanded. We have now been paying
subsidies to these ships for months, and
have not gun to put upon them.
SECONDARY BATTERIES.
For the secondary batteries required fol
vessels heretofore authorized 596 guns
have thus far been ordered, the type and
number being as follows: Hotchkiss-
I'hlrty-seven- -mIn.. a; H-mm., Is: l-pdr.,
light Is; 1-pdr. heavy lis; 3-pdr., 3S;
6-pdr., l62. Driggs-One-pdr, heavy, 10;
3-pdr., 10: 6-pdr, l40.
SMALL ARMS.
AS was stated in my last report, this de-
partment adopted a caliber of nm.
(0.236) 1or the new navy rifle. In the ex-
perimental firings with the new rifle.
muZZle velocities OF about $500 foot Sec
onds were attained; but a charge OF
upon
in order TO keep the cham ber pressure
well within safe limit, and also 20 in
crease the lifetime of the rifle barrels
This charge gives muzzle velocity oil
2 800 foot seconds. With this velocity the
point-b blank range is about 700 yards, and
the effective range fully 1000 yards. A,
short range the penetration is about five
feet of pine wood. The enormous in
crease OF effectiveness over the old
fashioned rifle is apparent from these
figures.
MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS IN COMMISSION.
Since the date of my last report the
vessels of the navy in commission have
been almost constantly employed, and
the necessity for such employment seems
to be continually increasing. Heretofore
an inSutficiency of numbers has, in cases
of sudden emergency abroad, necessitateG
sending vessels from one station to an
other, frequently for long distances. Now
however, thata the cruising vessels ofthe
new navy are, with few exceptions, COM
pleted and most CT them ready for active
service, l have decided in the interest o.
economy and efficiency, and for the more
perfect protection . 4 our interests abroad
to put into operation policy which viii
keep a number of cruising vessels suf.
ficient for the ordinary needs of nava
policing on each of six s ations, viz
North Atlantic South Atlantic, North
Pacific, South Pacific, Asiatic and Eu-
ropean.
This policy will allow frequent fee
and squadron evolutions. which are alb.
solutely necessary for the instruction O.
officers and men.
CONDITION OF FOREIGN NAvIEs.
In order to give you clear idea of the
condition Of the navies of foreign powers
at the present time, with reference tC