The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-27
MORE BIG BATTLE SHIPS.
sEoRETARH HERBER7'S PLAN FOR
THE INCREAsE OF THE RlVF.


NE VIII Recommend Large Approximations
for the Construction OF Battle ships aud
Torpedo Roats-He Will Also Urge an
lacrosse OF the Navy's Eaiisted Force.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28.-In his forthcoming
annual report, which is now ready for the
printer, Secretary OF the Navy Herbert will
recommend large appropriations for the con-
struction OF battle ships and torpedo boats, the
manufacture OF n supply OF reserve guns, and
the purchase OF n large amount Of powder ana
projectiles. He will also submit the outlines OF
n plan of general reorganization of the naval
personnel and urge that the enlisted force be In
creased by at at least a thousand men.
The growing necessity OF q larger navy and
the adyisability Of adding several more big
battle ships to the nations sea force will be a
strong feature of the report. 1t will be pointed
out that the country 10 still far from strong In
it's navy, and that safety and prud demand
that tho fleets be enlarged and more armored
fighting vessels and torpedo boats be con-
structed. 1t will be shown that while tho people
have been led TO believe that the navy 10
double the strength of three years ago, IL stnl
falls far short OF what 1t should be. Spain 10
the only nation having a respectable navy that
this country could possibly encounter with GER
tainty OF success. and while Mr.. Herbert's
statements on this subject will be guarded. no
will demonstrate by tables and in feronce that II
ia obligatory upon Congress TO continue moro
rapidly the work of building O navy.
Battle ships and torpedo boats win be the type
Of vessels recommended to Congress for ap-
proval, and until there are at least fifteen or
twenty first class battle ships there is
no probability that future Secretaries Of
tho Navy will urge further building Of
tho cruiser class OF ships Tho leading
naval experts concluded two years ago that
for present conditions and necessities there
arc now in service n sufficient number of unpro-
tected ships, and that what was most needed
were highly armored and armed battleships,
capable of deep sea lighting and harbor protec-
ton as we'll. For this reason Secretary Herbert
has refrained throughout his administration
from asking for further light-class vessels. and
has directed his attention in the rebuilding Of
the navy toward securing big battle ships.
This year he purposes asking that several
more OF the type authorized last juno be pro-
vided. and that an equal number of torpedo
boats, and possibly six more, be appropriated
for. so that within q year at the outside there
will be under way eight or ten battle ships and
about thirty-ive torpedo boats.
The programme presented to Congress by
the department last winter called for six
battle ships and thirteen torpedo boats. and in
the House four of the first type were authorized
and q dozen of the latter, but the Senate,
after a determined fight. declined to con-
cede moro than three battle ships, and the
original recommendation of the department
therefore resulted in but half the number of
battle ships asked for. Mr.. Herbert now intends
calling for several more battle ships this winter,
with q suggestion that the money be made
available Immediately on the passage of the
bill. in orde r that work can be pushed to COM
pletion.
to again call attention to tho lack OF torpedo
boats. and tho pressing necessity of q large
R RE.a, is. Of this N si TYPE Of for Ts ser at S. R0 as oh ,S Sa a .ho
lantic seaboRrd. Twenty-three boats of this
type are now building or in commission. and
until there are at least one hundred, the ohcials
will not feel satisfied that the supply is equal to
the demands of the navy.
tween now and March 4 will be constructed on
tho same plans as those of the Alabama and
Wisconsin,. and differing little from the Indiana
action can be obtained by a fleet where
the battle ships are Of one design. speed. and
fighting ability. the experts say, than by one
having heavily armored ships OF varying speed
and gun fire. The policy of the department.
therefore. has been to construct all battle ships
upon one general design. to secure uniformity
in size and speed. and with batteries similar
when possible.
The recommendation of superintendent
Cooper OF tie Naval Academy for two practice
ships for naval cadets will be endorsed by the
Aside from the increase in the navy. the Sec
retary's report, will urge large provision for
unN. DO"ucT,h n sutIl. i III TtCOUnU
tion OF the Chief OF Ordnance for 100000 to
construct q reserve supply of guns will be ap-
proved and the President. urged to emphasize
the necessity of having on hand more guns than
are actually required for vessels building and in
service in order TO equip auxiliary cruisers
in time of war and have n supply from
which guns can be drawn to replace those in
jured and worn out in actual service. Sixty
guns. of four, five, and ak inch calibre are now
being manufactured for the auxiliary feet, and
at least sixty in addition will he authorized this
session if Congress complies with the Sec,
~ n y'a TaPlfnT m ION a SAmn mon
has on his list thirty-one vessels OF the
merchant service. which surveys by. the
Government, show could be converted quickly
equipped with modern rapid-fre guns and sec
ondary batteries. such as carried by cruisers OF
the Raleigh and Columbia class. To manu-
~facture guns sufficient to fit out these ships. It
has been estimated by the Ordnance Bureau,
will cost at least 100000. and OF this sum
S4Oo. 900 was authorized last winter and an
equal amount will be asked for by the Secre-
tary this winter.
The recommendation of Capt. Sampson for q
large supply Of powder will ALEC be approved by
Mr.. Herbert. and Congress will be asked to APP
propriate literally In order that the Govern
ment may have on hand q supply sufficient to
carry on a battle until another supply could be
secured from contractors.
Powder and shell are now the weak points in
the navy's supplies. and 1t is asserted that there
is not to-day enough powder in naval magazines
to enable the North Atlantic fleet to fight q bat
hundred thousand pounds of brown prismattc
powder is being manufactured, and $780,
900 pounds of smokeless. powder at the
torpedo, stations. but until these deliveries
are made the experts have good reasons for hop
Ing that there will be no conflict requiring a
large use OF Gunpowder; Captain Sampson
chasing powder, and Mr.. Herbert will recoin-
mend that the greater part OF this amount be
made available this session. as woll as another
big appropriation for shells.