New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
NOREBATTLESHIPS PROPOSED
FOUR IN ADDITION TO THE TWO ALREADY
AUTHORIZED.
r1yr NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BOARD BELIEVES
THAT TIME AND MONEY CAN BE SAVED BY
BUILDING SIX BIG SHIPS AT ONCE
SECRETARY HERBERT MAY ASK
SIG. 600. 900 MORE

7ashington. Dec. 21.-Secreta-y Herbert re-
ceived a report to-day from the Board Of Naval
Bureau Chiefs presenting a consistent plan for
increasing the naval establishment by four big
battle-shtps IN addition TO the two already pro-
vided for It is said in behalf of the plan that
II is not based on the necessity for increasing
the Navy by reason of any critical aspect of the
rela tions between Great Britain and the United
States but on the ground OF economy in time
and money. The action of this Board offlclally
known as the Board Of Construction" came
about through its consideration of the bids sub
,nit.ed by the great shipbudng firms for con-
structing the two batte-ships Nos . and g. one
Of which is to be called the Kearsarge. These
bids were opened on November 80 and the bid
ders were the William Cramps Sons Ship
building Company. OF Philadelphia; the Newport
News Shipbudng ,and Dry Dock Company OF
Newport News va, and the Union Iron Works,
OF San Francisco. :
In the bids for constructing the two vessels
on plans prepared by the Navy Department the
Newport News Company was the lowest bidder,
with the san Francisco firm next. The Virginia
company made no offers for construction on
plans prepared by itself. and in this class the
Union Iron Works outbid the Cramps In addi-
tion 10 these the Cramps submitted a novel bid,
agreeing to construct two battle-ships on their
own plans with armor for both and also an
other vessel Of the same kind without armor,
and all for the sS.000.o00 appropriated by Con-
grass for constructing and furnishing armor and
ornaments for two. The other bids did not
contemplate furnishing armor.
Secretary Herbert turned over all the BIDS ana
accompanying plans 10 the Board of Construc-
tion for It's opinion. II had been practically de-
termined by this Board % recommend the ac-
ceptance OF the bid of the Newport News Com
panv for building Of the vessels on the De-
partment's plans for 50 COO and TO give TO the
Union Iron Works an opportunity OF securing
the other by scaling its bid Of s2,4OOOO to fig
IRE not so greatly AT variance with the virginia
er,n's nronosal Within the las; few days. how
ever there has been a change Of sentiment.
This took the form Of a more thorough con-
sderaton Of the Cramps bid. IT was pam 10
the Board, from the variance in the Dlds SUD
mitted that there was no collusion between the
various bidders. and il was shown that the piu
OF the Newport News Company was exceedingly
economical
After careful consideration the Board de-
cded at a meeting to-day. to recommend TO
Secretary Herbert tlat the bid of the virginia
company for constructing two Vessels al S-'@oV'-
Oe0 each "a deduction OF 100000 from It's pro-
posal for building ship should be accepted;
that the Cramps and the Union iron WORKS
should also receive the contract lor puiolhs t"9 9
battle-shps each o the same class pToVIueu
they scaled their bils to figures satisfactory TO
the Secretary Of TN. Navy, the san frahclsco
concern being allowed to retain reasonaple ln3ls
amount above the Cramps estimates 10 MAKE
up the extra cost o. construction and the ad9l-
tional cost of TRANSPORTATION OF materlal 10 ' 'ne
Pacific Coast and fnally, tnat the oecie.aiS ar, "9r
Congress for an Appropriation 10 cover ''ic NO''
Of the four additional ships.
As ssOOOOOO was estimated and approprlatedd
as the cost Of the kearsarge ana her uhilalilS1 ,1
s,,,ar chin twice ttht amount in addition would
seem 10 be neededfor the four now proposeu'
but II is not likely that this sum VIII be neceS-
sarv in view OF th economy or cohstruc'liS ~
. ,.oseaIs at ore Whether Congress shall
be asked 10 provi9 the increase remains Wlti
Secretary Herbert o decide In his iast i. annuai
report he recommended Congresslonai proNi5'o., ps .
sp ~ constructio, of two battle-ships and at
least twelve torped,-boats and his estimates lor
these vessels amounted to $9,6S6,3S5