New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-11
MONEY NEEDED FOR NAVY.
CHIEF CONSTRUCTOR HICHBORN GIVES
HIS ESTIMATES FOR THE CON-
ING YEAR
THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR REPAIRS ARE MOI
LARGE ENOUGH-HE RECOMMENDS THE
CONSTRUCTION OF ONLY TWO

THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR REPAIRS ARE NOT
LARGE ENoUGH-HE RECOMMENDS THE
CONSTRUCTION OF ONLY TWO
NEW VESSELS
Washington Nov l0.-The first ship OF the new
Nav, was put in commission nine years ago,
and according to Chief Constructor Hichborn, the
demands for ordinary repairs the earlier vessels
for the preservation and for the maintenance Of
their equpage In proper state OF efficiency are
yearly becoming more serious, and Congress must
hereafter make much larger appropriations for this
purpose.
Commodore Hichborn, In his annual report, de-
clares that modern steel ships. with their extreme
subdivision and elaborate systems OF ventilation,
drainage and mechanical auxares OF al kinds,
require much greater care. both when In commits
sion and In ordinary, than was formerly the case
with the old wooden ships; neglect Is followed by
much serious and far-reaching deterioration,
and It is absolutely essential that the most careful
supervision should be exercised at all times and
remedies promptly applied In order that the EN-
cheney OF the vessels men-of-war may be properly
maintained.
For several years past the Construction Bureau
has been compelled to economic nearly TO the
danger point, being limited by repair appropria-
ton Of less than per cent of the original cost OF
vessels, while in the British Navy the figures vary
from to per cent. the lower figure applying 70
the most heavily armored vessels. Constructor
Hichborn Insists that sl.50O000 Is needed FOR this
year where only 100000 secured from Congress
for the current year.
A significant feature OF Commodore Hichoorns
report Is that he officially recommends the construc-
ton of only two new vessels to be authorized py
Congress at the session, instead or the great
increases to force of heavy battlesnipS wnlcn
unoficiay suggested by his paper, read oefore
the naval architects in NewYork three days ago az
being promptly needed by the Navy. The vessels ne
recommends two small composite sainng vessels
of 100 tons Displacement, to cost only $zoovW eScn
These II authorized by Congress, VIII be the tirst
two vessels without steam power that nave oe S
placed In the naval service for many years no
argument regarding this recommendation is sub
mitted by Constructor Hichborn. .
Constructor Hchborn devotes considerable space
to pointing out the necessity for greatly increas-
ing the number of drydocks at the Navy yards the
efficiency OF cruisers being seriously anected by
the difficulties frequently encountered IN cicaninS
their submerged portions. He recommends new
docks at Portsmouth. y. H.; Boston, Mare Island,
Cal, and Norfolk. Va. Until the INDEFINITE tlne IN
the future. when the big docks at New York. Puget
Sound and Port Royal available FOR deep
draught vessels. the batteshps must remain un-
docke1.
Chief Engineer Melville and Constructor Hchborn
concur in the estimate that S.S95,6l9 must be pro-
vided for disbursng next year on account OF tne
vessels authorized by the last Congress, Tor wnlcn
however. appropriations were made FOR repairs
on the Chicago 100000 Is required. ana Tor the
Hartford. $4,000. Constructor Hichborn repeats
with emphasis the request he has frequently made
o Congress for experimental tank TO COST ABOUT
10000 which il Is proposed to use to test models OF
ships before the vessels themselves are built.