The sun., 1896-10-29

Thirty Armored Vessels in Active Service
Three Others Under Construction.

Three Others Under Construction.
WARRINGTON, Oct. 2S. - Chief Constructor
Hiehborii's annual report shows total of llO
vessels in the navy, of which thirty are armored,
including eight battle ships. two cruisers one
RAM and six double-turreted monitors, all Of
which are in active service. prepared for ofren-
sivo or defensive operations, and thirteen single
turret monitors which might be utilized in tho
harbors in which they now lie. Three other
armored battle ships are now under construct lion.
There are twenty-five new steel cruisers also in
commission, in addition to the three spec al ass
vessels of the new nnvy--the Bancroft Dolphin
and Vesuvius. These are unarmored, MS are the
sixteen iron and wooden cruisers and six woode
sailing vessels still carried on the lists. Three
torpedo boats are in use and fifteen under con-
tract. The other vessels building are six gum
boats one submarine boat, and fifteen torpedo
boats. Twelve tugs are also included in the
naval force. and fifteen old ships unfit for sea,
which, however, are utilized for various pur-
poses. such training vessels, naval reserve
rendezvous. and receiving ships.
In compliance with the law for the increase of
the navy, Engneer. in Chief Melville and the
Chief Constructor unite In n statement that
S5,9G5,359 must be appropriated for 1897.
which, with SS.2sT. 5O". the balance in the
Treasury is required for existing contracts.
The only new vessels which Congress IL asked
1,lo0 tons, costing SoOO.O0O, as practice cruisers
for the Naval Academy, to take the place OF the
Bancroft: but these do not conflict with the
recomme endation for three ditional battle ships
which Secretary Herbert is confidently ex-
pected to make in his annual report During
the fiscal year nine vessels. the Indiana Massa-
chuSetts, Oregon, Maine, Texas, Terror, Monad-
mock. Katahdin, and Ericsson. were added to
the effective force OF the navy. and during tho
current year the Brooklyn. Iowa, Nashville.
Wilmington. Helena, Puri tan. six Runboats,
several torpedo boats, and one tug are to be
added.
Constructor IIichborn declares that the naval
stations and docks at Port Royal. s. G., and
Port Orchard Wash. cannot be properly util-
ICED without the erection OF shops. for which he
urges authority. The major part OF tho report
Is devoted to exposing the shortcomings OF the
reserve supply system, which renders II cNpcn-
sive and tedious to repair vessels Practice has
shown tho frequent necessity OF open market
rcQuisition for this work. and strong arguments
nre presented for an increase in the supply fund
to 81. 100000.
The advisability OF shcathing the bottoms of
cruising vessels Is reiterated. Us well rs former
Recommendations for building additional dry
docks TO keep the ships in u high state OF efh-
cheney.
During the past year the bureau proposed
plans for converting several classes of ships
which are entered in the naval reserve list into
effective auxiliary cruisers. These include the
DweCo and Hudson classes on the great lakes
aud tho FL Sol and FL Dorado classes OF ocean
going vessels. II is now proposed to prepare the
outfit and keep them ready for immediate use.