The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-11

n Is now moro than nine years since the
first vessel OF the new navy was put in
commission. and the necessity for general
repairs and renewal OF fittings aud equip
ments Is becoming more and moro press
ing. The policy Of extreme economy has
about reached its limit, md unless more
ample appropriations are made for the
care and preservation Of ships md the
general maintenance of the yard plants,
the efficiency of the fleet will lie de-
molished and government property will
suffer serious deterioration.
Commodore Hichborn notes the COM
pletion and acceptance during tho year of
the Marblehead, Columbia, Olympia and
Minneapolis; gives tho status of other
vessels which ARE almost completed, and
also states the facts in connection with
contracts recently let, and specifications
made under the authority of the last naval
appropriation bill. He suggests the i'm
portance of appropriations sufficient to
push the navy yard plants at Portsmouth,
n. II, Boston, Now York, League island,
Norfolk, and Mare island, Cal, in a con-
dition TO meet the demands of the imIne-
date future.
Probably the most important part of the
report is that devoted TO the necessity of
lnCTtuscu uINNOCh idCAlii4cS. MT. lilCD-
born notes the fact that there was no dock,
government CIR private, in the country
sufficiently large TO dock the Indiana pre-
liminary TO her trial trip. III, he says,
'such a condition confronts the depart
ment in time of peace, 1t is easily realized
how serious q defect it would prove in
time of war, when the casualties of battle
and necessity for keeping the bottoms of
xa~golo a, c,,nh oonIttiar thot tI,- l.
develop their highest speed. would largely
increase the demands on our docking facili-
ties"
Favors Greater Docking Facilities.
The chief constructor endorses the recon-
mendation Of the constructor at Boston
for a dock there sufficient in size to take
the largest vessel, as he does also similar
recommendations for the constructors at
Norfolk and Mare island.
Mr.. Hichborn also recommends 'thnt
IN order that the plants at our naval sta
lions may always he kept in a high state
of efficiency for the performance Of the
general work Of repairing and fitting out,
il Is earnestly recommended that in future
appropriation provisions be made for
having at least one vessel in course OF con.
-strnctinnL at each of the three principal
navy yards"
Explaining the reason for this sugges-
ton, he says that the completion of the
vessels building ut the New York and
Norfolk navy yards has neccssitated the
discharge OF n large proportion of the
skilled force hitherto employed at those
stations, and IL would be exceedingly diff.
ficult to maintain the efficiency OF the
construction and repair plants at those
yards unless carly measures arc taken 10
give regular employment TO a small force
OF skilled mechanics in each Of the prin-
cipal yards.
The report rcnews the recommendation
previously made Of an experimental tank,
In which carefully conducted experiments
could be made with models in such a way
rs to anticipate the performance OF the
completed vessel, these results not being
capable of attainment in any other q
Several foreign governments have al
ready preceded us In this direction and
have constructed elaborate experimental
stations, the British taking the lead. One
hundred thousand dollars Is asked for
his purpose, and IL Is beloved hat with
such n station, properly equipped and
differed, the department will be i'm n con.
dition 20 make original research and net
on Independent lines, instead OF being
compelled, In q great measure. 20 rcly
upon the experiments and deductions of
others, which must OF necessity be ac-
cepted at their full value, as there is no
means In this country of testing their ac-
curacy.