The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-11
NEEDS OF THE NAVY.
Commodore Hichborn Makes
Estimates For Next Year.
LARGER DRY DOCK FACILITIES.
e75,0 600 for the Puget Sound station
The Business or the Postoffice
Department.

Washington City, Nov. f0-comr1odore
Philip Hlch5orn. chief OF the bureau OK
construction and repair Of the navy, has
completed his report OF the year me
report includes estimates for appropria-
tons for next year. The most important
is a, $3.50 to be expended on vessels au-
thorlzed by congress for the increase OF
the navy. He also asks for sI,J9.tEo Tor
the general repair OF vessels and the p1r-
chase Of stores and machinery. Sszs,evs Tor
continuance Of work already authorized
on the Hartford. the Chicago and other
vessels. and zoos for two composite sail
Ing vessels. lie ewelIs especially upon the
necessity Of adequate money for the repair
of vessels Modern steel ships. with their
subdivisions and elaborate systems OF ven
t.lasion, drainage and mechanical auXlE-
cries OF all kinds, require much greater
care than was formerly tie case with the
old wooden ships II Is nov more than nine
years since the first vessel or the new
navy was put in commission. and the nee
ess.ty for general repairs and renewals OF
fittings and equipments IL becoming more
and more pressing. The policy Of extreme
economy has about reached It's limit, and
unless more ample appropriations are
made for the care and preservation OF
ships and the general maintenance Of the
yard plants, the efficiency Of the feet VIII
be diminished and the government proper
~ viii suffer serious deterioration. Com
nodore Hichborn notes the completion and
acceptance during the year or the Marble
head. Columbia. Olympia ard Minneapolis;
gives the status Of other vessels which
are almost completed. and also states the
facts In connection with contracts recent
iy let and specifications made under au-
fhorlty OF the last naval appropriation bill.
JIe suggests the Importance Of appropria-
tons sufficient 10 put the navy yard
plants at Portsmouth. " II. Boston. New
- IL .snH
Mare Island, in a condition to meet the
demands OF the immediate future He
thinks $4,000 necessary al Norfolk, $1,000
ct New York and $4,000 al Mare Island.
lie also ronews the recommendation Of
LAST year for the appropriation Of 5000
for each Of the new stations at Port Roy
al and Puget sound. The money is, he
says, necessary 10 equip the stations with
tools. 80 as to enable them to cover the or
binary repair work.
Probably the most important part Of the
report is that devoted 20 the necessity OF
increased dry dock facilities. Mr.. Heb
born notes the fact that there was no dock,
government or private in the country suffi-
GENTLY large 10 dock the Indiana prepara-
tory 10 her trial trip III" he says, such
a condition confronts the department Ia
time Of peace. It Is easily realized how SER
eous a defect X would prove IN time OF war.
when tho casualties OF battle and necess-
ily OF keeping the bottoms Of vessels In
such condition that they might develop
their highest speed. would largely increase
the demands Of our docking facilities"
The chief constructor indorses the rec
concentrations Of the constructor at Bos-
ton for deck there sufficient In size 10
take the largest vessel. as he does also
similar recommendations from the con-
structors az Norfolk and Mare Island. Mr..
Hlchborn also recommends that in order
Haff ma
always be kept IN high state Of efficiency
for the performance OF the general work Of
repairing and fitting out, u Is earnestly
recommended that In future appropriate
provisions be made for having az least
one vessel In course OF construction at each
OF the three principal navy yards" Ex-
planning the reason for the suggestion. he
says the completion Of the vessels build
ing az New York and Norfolk navy yards
has neeessitated the discharge OF a large
proportion OF the skilled force hitherto en-
ployed at those stations, and il viii be ex-
eeedingly difficult 70 maintain the efficiency
of the construction and repair plants NJ
those yards unless early measures are TAX
en- 10 give regular employment 10 a small
force OF skilled mechanics In each OF the
principal yards. The report renews the
recommendation previously made of an ex-
perimental tank Ia which carefully con-
Quoted experiments could be made with
models In such way as 10 anticipate the
performances OF a completed vessel. these
results not being capable Of attainment IN
any other way. Several foreign govern
ments have already preceded Us In this d.
fection. and have had constructed elaborate
experimental stations, tho British taking
tho lead. One hundred thousand dollars is
asked for this purpose and 1t Is believed
with such a station. properly equipped and
Offered. the department would be in con-
ssHtF Il
OF being compelled 20 rely upon the eX-
phrlrnerta and deductions OF othara.