The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-03
CONDITION OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY HERBER1'S REPORT
and HIS RECOMMENDATIONS
He Asks for Two Moro Battleships and
Dozen Torpedo Boats-Wants
Reserve List Of seamen.

bert in his annual report expresses him
self strongly in favor, not only of con-
tnuing work already begun 10 strengthen
the navy, but also in favor OF adding
TO the number OF ships now in commission
or contracted for. on these points he
says:
I'VE are not in want OF ordinary unar-
mored cruisers or of gunboais. but We are
lamentably deficient In torpedo boats.
and we certainly need more battleships
An inspection OF the building programmes
of other nations will demonstrate that
the lessons taught at Yalu and Wei Hal
Wei have tended 10 confirm the belief
Of naval experts throughout the world
in the efficacy Of these two classes OF
vessels. i respectfully recommend the
construction OF two battleships and at
least twelve torpedo boats"
The Secretary refers the matter OF the
acceptance OF the ram katahdin, which
has complied with every contract condi-
ton but that OF speed, to Congress. He
treats at some length OF the use of wood
in the construction OF war vessels, reach
ing these conclusions:
In my last report / called attention
TO the disadvantages of woodwork in
war vessels. and the consequent danger
from fire, and IL was stated that i had
directed the suspension. in ships then
building OF all woodwork not absolutely
necessary. The result OF the investiga-
ton then going on was that woodwork
In the interior OF ships was, as far as
practicable, dispensed with. No substi-
tute for wood in all essentials has as yet
been found, and for some purposes IT IS
still deemed Indispensable. | therefore
recently ordered an investigation of the
new process for fire-proving wood in
use by the Electric Fire-proofing Com
pany The reports made of these inyesti-
cations led the department TO the con-
clusion that it was desirable to treat by
this process such wood as must be used
in the interior of our new ships, and on
July %. 1895, having first agreed with this
company upon a reasonable price, 1t was
ordered that hereafter. as far as possible,
all wood so used should be first treated
by this process
The sum Of 100000 is asked for repairs
to the Chicago, these repairs 10 consist
i'm replacing her machinery with that OF
more modern type. The Atlanta also
needs new machinery.
EDUCATING NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS
The department has therefore inaugur-
ated the policy. which it hopes may even
naval constructors, after they have ac-
quired some practical experience IN ship
wards TO sea for cruises OF moderate du-
ration, 10 make themselves familiar with
the actual working of the various de-
tails OF shipbuiding, 10 observe ana note
the action of the vessel and its httings
under all possible conditions Of service.
to make reports to the department, and
10 perform such other duties as the COM
handing officer may require.
The system OF gun construction now IN
vogue is pronounced satisfactory, Dut
provision for a reserve supply Of ord
nance is urgently recommended. II Is
pointed out that.
Under treaty provisions. neither the
United States nor the English can keep
more than one small naval vessel upon
our northern lakes. SO far the two coun-
tries are matched. In case, however.
war should unfortunately break out be-
tween them, Great Britain could promptly
furnish guns and gun mounts 10 her
merchant marine on the lakes ahu'
though their marine IS far inferior 10
ours i'm strength the British might mas
ter those waters and do incalculable
damage to our lake cities. II we had
reserve of ordnance and ordnance stores
we could dominate those waters without
question
Secretary Herbert treats at some length
of the subjects of powder armor, gun
mounts. and projectles, showing That
experiments with each have been highly
satisfactory. The Secretary says ne mas
made A careful investigation OF the bus
mess methods or the bureaus and Offices
OF the Navy Department. for the purpose
of securing more simple and speedy
transaction OF the public business and
as a result OF this investigation, has IN
stituted certain changes
NEEDS or DRY DOCKS.
Considerable space I'm the Secretary
report is devoted TO the subject OF dty
docks on this point. he says:
"The department has been recently
somewhat Inconvenience for want or
dock large enough to take the larger c'asS
of our naval vessels. The Texas IL was
believed, could not be safely doched at
the Norfolk yard. and it was therefore
decided TO send her TO the Brooklyn yard
where though the dock was of the same
size as that at Norfolk. the higher tides
nermitted the ship 10 enter IL with great
or assurance of safety. BY taking ad-
vantage of a high tide, the snip was
locked without touching. This want OF
larger docks has not been unforeseen
and IL builders had fulfilled their con-
tracts we should now have two DOCKS OH
the Atlantic coast ready ana aple 10
take at any time any ship In service OF
now building ~
.sThe large dock at Port Royal, ,. u
was to have been finished, according 10
contract. on April %, 1898. There were
many delays in the work. but II was
reported as ready for use some tlihe
since. and the Texas might nave peeh
docked the instead OF being sent to New
York but for interrupting certain WORN
now being done upon the dock, whlch the
denartment decided upon FOR the purpose
OF further strengthening TINS structure,
This dock, il is believed, Will De turned
over TO the Government within the pres
ent calendar year
Dock No. 3, now under construction
az the BROOKLYN Navy Yard, will also be
large enough 10 accommodate our largest
vessels" <
Work upon IL is progressing saustactor-
ily, and il is expected 10 DE ready loi
use by June /, SO. We shall then nave
upon the Atlantic coast TWO DOCKS OF
sufficient size TO accommodate our largest
vessels.
When our present building programme
Is completed we shall have nine ships
which can not, when fully loaded, saIely
enter any OF our docks on the Atlantic
coast except these>two. Vessels ordnar-
Nv require about ten days each In dock
when the bottom is only 10 be cleaned
and painted IL IS believed we shouiu
have another large dock on the Atlantic
coast. and II Is recommended that this
IL WA when