New-York tribune., 1895-07-29
NEW SEiMAySHTP IN THE NAVY.

The Navy Department has been advised by the
officers in charge OF the construction OF the ne"
gunbcats at Newport News, Va, that mo. 4
will be ready 10 be put aiiOa early in August.
No names have yet been selected for the three
new men of-war. but II Is possible that one may
be- selected for NO. before she Is launched the
Secretary Of the Navy has had large list or
names submitted To him. and as soon as he DIS
poses of other pressing business" he Will likely
take lip the question Of names for the new gun
boats.
With the launching of another modern shlp-of-
war arises The question Of obtaining a crew for
her when she Is ready; but that Is some months
off yet. The Secretary has stated that the Navy
Is suffering In the matter Of cnlisments, and that
II is probable that the Maine. Texas and other
vessels selected To be put in commission early In
August will have to wait several weeks for men
for the crews. IT may be said that the days Of
The old seamanship have passed away; seaman
ship there still must be- only with the use OF
different appliances. and exercised under altered
circumstances. II is admitted that to nt men
and officers alike for the peculiar duties required
by the abandonment Of sail power in favor Of
steam is n matter involving revision Of past
methods Adaptation between the men and the
lng rs we'll as organization. One result Of the
change which has converted ships OF war into
floating masses OF mechanism Is seen In the
larger proportion ~ The none combatant class IA
the engine and hrcroom force is called, and a
corresponding diminution Of the combatanr sea
men.
The question has been debated as to whether
| II would not be- wise and for the benefit Of the
Navy. and secure sufficient as well as IA more
COMPETENT enlisted force. if system 'stab
| shcd for the training II men ~ all classes to
| perform the duties in the machinery departments
rs well rs ~ the guns in other words. 10 perform
all round duties In the past The duties ~ the
scamcn have been "on deck and aloft': but with
the change To masiess ships the sphere Of action
| ~ 4 man-Of war crew Is "on deck and below"
There is hardly any similarity between the three
d,ckrd wooden lnc-of battle ship Of 1900 tons
carrying seventy four guns more. none bigger
| than a - FOUNDER. and The present first class
masilcss battle ship with displacement Of I 900
| tons. carrying rs inch guns and other guns u
| enormous size and propelled by massive and
| complicated machinery working up 10 l2pO
and 1000 horsepower. The training OF the
| boys who enlist la the Navy comprchcnds the
| old system such as making sail, sending aloft
yards rc"hng iopsalls furling topgallant sails.
etc. ana Then they are sent 10 sea In mastless
cruiser. q class Of vessel upon which they have
| had no training How 10 deal with the new
scamauship" would seem Ia be a wise course Of
| instruction and drill: 10 train seamcn 10 BE-
stokers and 70 train siokers 10 be- gilnncrs. 10
make the duties Interchangeable. with n train
Ing system II this sort the old true and tnrry
s.amcn' would not disappear altogether. but
many II them would be- competent 10 do duty
/ h,i,w