The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-06
Reviews the Progress of
the Building Up of the
New Navy.
Light raught Vessels Needed
for Entry of Ports Along
the Rivers.
Comparisons in Tonnage to Show This
Country Is Not Yet Able 10
Cope With Powers.


tary of the Navy Herbert in his annual
report asks Congress at the coming session
to authorize three light-draught battle
ships and twelve torpedo boats. He recon-
mends that these ships be planned for an
extreme deep-load draught of not more
than twenty-three feet and suggests that
considerations OF strategy upon our At
lantic and Gulf coasts render this an es-
sentiat to the success of the naval cam
paigns.
This reasoning" he says, sis the final
result of much careful study by able Off
GERS OF conditions as they exist on our
southern coast. Battle-ships that could
enter the harbors of Savannah, Bruins
wick, Key West, Tampa, Pensacola, Mo-
bile and the mouth of the Mississippi at
all times would have an immense advan-
tage over the battle-ships o. foreign ma
tons, few if any OF which could enter
these ports. Light-draught battl e-ships,
if we had them, could make any of these
ports bases of supplies, could sally forth
from them or retire into themat will and
could therefore most always offer battle
on their own terms. There are also many
of our ports further north which would
give the same advantages to such ships"
An interesting feature of the report Is
resume of the progress of the upbuilding
of the new navy from the time of its in
auguration under Secretary Chandler.
Congress has authorized during the pres
enr administration twenty-eight vessels
with a total tonnage of 65,S66 tons. OF
these five are 6rst-ciass battle-ships and
sixteen torpedo boats.
Large as the above increase appears"
SAYS the Secretary, at is not sufficient to
place the United States navy IN salts
factory condition. We mean tn be able at
all times to defend our long line of sea
coast, afford unquestionable protection to
our citizens in foreign lands, render eff
ficient aid TO our diplomacy and maintain
under all circumstances our National
honor.
The Secretary, calling attention to the
com parative naval strength of the prin-
cipal powers, states that while the results
achieved by the United States are highly
credita BILE to the country, yet it is clear
that the great powers with which we are
brought into close relationship largely
exceed US not only in the number of battle
ships and torpedo boats actually in COM
mission but III their naval programmes
for the future. The Secretary shows that
on June 80, 1898. there were thirty vessels
IN commission. with tonnage of 81, 800
tons, while on Decem Der 10 the total tom
mage in commission will be 1877 $50 tons.
Attention is again called to the necessity
for some legislation by Congress which
will enable the department to make use
IN case OF an emergency OF the tugs,
yachts and vessels engaged in the fishing
fleets and coastwlse and lake trade and 10
call into the service of the navy the sailors
and officers necessary to command and tit
,ok hi ir,o rf hraa n or antr1 al
war. He recommends an additional ap-
preparation for the purpose of SUPPLY ng
guns and ammunition with which 10 arm
vessels to be called into service from our
merchant marine.
Reference is also made to reserve sys-
tenn, and the Secretary sets forth the
report of board appointed to formula O
general plan for the laying up of vessels in
reserve, and in this connection it is
announced that the department. expects to
be able to submit TO Congress at an early
day during the coming session suggestions
for such legislation as may be needed to
enable it to provide proper accom- m oda
tions for ships, so that it may establish
and maintain reserve system with the
value and importance OF which the depart
ment is deeply impressed.
The subject of the naval militia is dealt
| with at some length, and it is shown that
at the close of the last year the mum Der of
naval military lawfully certified was 1894,
| divided among the States of Rhode Island,
Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina,
| Massachusetts, California and New York.
From the last official returns they number
! 1899 from the States of New York, Caiifor-
MIA, Rhode Island Maryland, South Caro-
lima North Carolina, Pennsylvania, lii
nois, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey
| Georgia and Louisiana, and the depart
ment has been informed of the prospective
formation of an additional battalion in
| New York Eat Brooklyn and an organiza-
| ton in Ohio. l
During the summer the various battal-
| ions have been drilled in vessels of the
navy and have had the advantage of tar
get practice and drills with the batteries
of the ships. The Secretary ,devotes con-
| siderable space to reviewing the reports
of the chiefs of bureaus which have al
ready been published, and IN this connec-
ton asks Congress TO authorize the build
ing of dock at Norfolk of sufficient size
| to take in the largest vessel of the navy.
| This he recommends should be CONSTRUCTED
of concrete, as it is more readily repaired
| and cheaper than wooden dock.
! Such satisfactory experiments have
been made with liquid fuel by Engineer
in-Chief Melville that the department has
ordered that tug now being constructed
at the Norfolk yards and one of the
Smaller IOTpeuD- DOdtS DelHS UullC Uy the
Herreschoff Company be fitted for using
this oil, intending thus to thoroughly test
! its capabilities. These boats will be
adapted for coal if oil fails.
For the relief of the overworked Engi-
neer Corps 1t is urged that their mum Der
be increased until the limit shall reach
$50 instead of 1914, as at present.
1t is announced that training station
on the Pacific Coast on the island Of
| Yprha Ruapa as nravidnd fnr INV Conorass
| will soon be established, and that in the
meantime the Adams, now returning from
! Honolulu, will be fitted for the duty.