The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-01
THEC0NTRACTCLOSED
Moran Bros. Will Build the
Torpedo Boat.
ENGINEERS REPORT FAVORABLE
Robert Moran Says the Boat VIII Be
Equal To the Best I'm the World
MFR. Wilson's Opinion.

The contract for the construction Of ere
Of the three new torpedo boats was yesssr-
day awarded by Secretary Of the NAVY
Herbert 10 Moran Bros, OF this city. Chief
Engineer Wilson. who was ordered here
last Friday 10 investigate the capacity Of
Moran Bros. 10 do the work, tsiegraphed a
favorable report 10 the navy department.
and as "A result Seattle firm will have the
distinction os building the first war vessel
Of any description ever constructed on the
North Pacific coast After the contract
was awarded the only question left TO be
settled was the vacation OF the streets in
the tide land plat. where Moran Bros
plant IS located. and by its action last night
the house Of delegates removed the last OBJ
stacle 10 ths successful undertaking OF
this contract
Senator Squire received A telegTari yes
terday from Secretary Herbert announcing
that the contract for one torpedo boat had
been awarded TO Moran Bros, and the As
sociated Press dispatch TO the Post-Intell-
gencer gives the particulars of the award.
The dispatch follows:
VIII Make II the Rest in the World.
Washington City. Sept 9n-Tha report OF
Chief Engineer Wilson. sent from San
Francisco 10 Seattle 10 investigate the ca
pacty OF the plant OF Moran Bros. was
entirely satisfactory Secretary Herbert
this forenoon awarded that firm the con-
tract for construction OF one Of the three
torpedo boats 10 be built for the navy. The
price to be paid is $4,000, which is s. 600
less than the original bid of the firm. who
consented to the reduction IN order that the
department might have sufficient margin
left from the appropriation of $1,000 TO
supply a torpedo outfit and guns for the
boat. Robert Moran. senior member of tho
firm. was at the navy department today
closing up the business, and he announces
N~s Z g- ~ t,,...
will compare in every respect with the best
in the world, and TO spare no proper ex-
pense.
No Doubt of Noran's Ability.
Chief Engineer Fletcher A. Wilson said
at the Rainier-Grand hotel last night that
the fact that Moran Bros. had been award
ed the contract was evidence Of the nature
OF his report TO the department The COM
pany had not the necessary. capacity now
10 build the torpedo boat. but that fact did
not enter into the question. 1t was only
requisite that a large enough plant SHOULD
be ready in three months, and he felt sure
from the investigation he had made here
that the company would be entirely able
10 build the boat. He had talked with q
large number of business men, and was
impressed with what he had learned of tho
business standing, integrity and ability OF
Moran Bros. He did not think the company
would make any money out of this con-
tract, but did not suppose IL expected to-
The main thing was the opportunity given
10 show that a torpedo boat could he built
here. The company would also be bene-
nted because of the strictness of the gov
eminent inspection. Ii would be absolute
" necessary that first-class work be turn
ed out I'm order TO be accepted.
In company with Senator Squire and
Paymaster Sullivan. of the navy. Mr.. VII
son yesterday visited the government navy
yard at Port Orchard and examined the
big dry dock there. Il was very glad of the
opportunity 10 make this trip" said Mr.
Wilson. There has been some fine work
done on TIE dry dock. some excellent work
and 1t is a credit TO the builders" Mr.
Wilson leaves for San Francisco today.