The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-18
THE BRITISH NAVY.
Criticisms md Suggestions of Lord
Brassey, of the English Admiralty.

Criticisms md Suggestions of Lord
Brassey, of the English Admiralty.
WASHINGTON, April 17.-There has
been received at the Navy Department a
copy of an address recently delivered by
Lord Brassey, president OF the Institution
of Naval Architects. at the thirty-sIxth
session OF that body at Its meeting in
March. Lord Brassey has been MEM
Der OF the British Admiralty and has given
a great deal of attention to the building
of the British navy. The interesting point
of the address is his advocacy of ships OF
medium dimensions with increase of num-
bers. He says that 1t has been the desire
of Great Britain to build a navy equal to
any other two powers. The desired numer-
ical strength has not been obtained and he
thinks that smaller vessels could be built
about i've vessels Where three are now
constructed. Lord Brassey enlarged upon
rnrs prapesitl h SaynS me aay
battle ships in every element OF fighting
efficiency, In dealing with new programme
1t may not be superfiuous TO SCI. forth, once
more. the leading arguments for keeping
down dimensions ana distributing the fight
Ing power Of the fleet in great , number per
skillful naval architect will show more
than proportionate gain. in sea keeping
armament. But when all that Is practi-
cable has been done the officer in command
ship as in the slenderest of the boats. Be-
low the water line the largest equally with
the smallest ship is unprotected by armor
from any blow which may be dealt by the
ram the torpedo. II has been sought to
strengthen the means OF offensive defense
Quick-fring guns will be of no avail on
dark nights, or in rain, snow and fog-con-
tingencies sure to be often experienced by
fleets engaged in the arduous task of seal
ing up an enemy in any OF the ports OF
Europe. In such circumstances a large
f0tflla OF sea-keeping torpedo boat Destroy
ers is the only resource. In the considera-
ton of this question OF dimensions the per-
sonal element demands attention. The
fewer the ships of which our fleets ara
composed, the fewer the opportunities for
dashing and enterprising officers, whose
qualities for command must remain undis-
covered until brought to the test of actual
warfare. Hydroeraphical considerations
sells available for all services that may be
required from the navy vessels not ex-
cluded by their draught of water from
many of the busiest harbors Of the world,
able to approach all coasts likely TO be the
scenes of naval operations and capable OF
passing through the Suez canal
Lord Brassey also takes occasion to COM
pliment Secretary Herbert. He says: In
framing a programme or ship building for
the future. the policy Of the British Adj
miralty should be that recommended to the
United States by the Secretary OF the
Navy" He then quotes from the recon-
mendations and suggestions Of Secretary
Herbert In which he pointed out that the
and 1872 was due to her numerous battle
ships. Closing his remarks upon what the
Secretary recommended, Lord Brassey
says: II am unable to conceive OF any adj
vice more suitable to our own require
ments than mat quoted from Secretary