New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08

In view Of the present and prospective activity
In naval affairs 1T home and abroad and the
proposed expenditure of large sums Of money in
The construction ~ American vessels Of war. the
discussion ~ the merits ~ current methods OF
protecting guns and the hulls Of ships printed
elsewhere Is of timely interest. and has an i'm
poriInt bearing on the efficiency OF vessels 10
De- built as well NJ those already atioat. How
far he present distribution Of prmor will enable
a battle ship To Withstand the destructive effects
~ ihc explosive shells which are now thrown by
high powcrcd guns j. problem on the solution
~ which depends the existence of a navy. and
In corresponding degree the existence Of the
nation which the navy may be- called ON TO de-
fcnd
ON another page Of to-days paper will be found
4 comprehensive synopsis OF paper on these
subjects. which is about 10 be published by the
Naval Institute II the premises Of the author
are correct and they seem To have the approval
OF men recognized as experts In their line.
thcr, has been grave error committed In the
preparation OF the designs for the latest Amcri-
can warships, and the error should not be re-
pcated In those which Congress Is now called
on TO provide The technical points raised
are not deep that they cannot be easily I'M
dcrstood. and II the IDEAS advanced are any
Improvement on those ut present followed by
the people To whom Is coniided the building OF
new ships they should receive the most careful
consideration 4 modern battle-ship of the
Indiana or Kca'sargc class is too important and
expensive a factor in the National equipment
TO be wca!: In any poin. where strength Is need
ed and can be supplied. and II Is an axiom OF
naval warfare that guns are Of little value I'M
less the platform on which they rest is reason
ably secure from attacks without and danger
within.
or the men behind the guns the Nation has
every reason To hc proud. The officers and crews
of American ships Of war rank with the best
in the world. and there Is no question as to the
efficiency with which the ships would be handled
In case Of need 1t is with the vessels them
selves that the paper deals. and 1t will present
an entirely new aspect Of the mechanical ana
scientific side Of construction and equipment OF
shus intended as lighting machine.
II Is pointed ont that while our batilc-ships
have magnificent battery powers. foreign con
strlriors are giving much more attention
10 the adequate protection OF the vitals OF
ships that il, the portion below the water
line which Is filled with intricate and powerful.
machinery and explosives as shown by the
methods followed In the building OF the British
Magnificent class and the French Mediterranean
shius Of the Charlcmagne class. Later designs
from American constructors show that these
points are still overlooked. and that the general
method Of armor distribution follows that OF
yeurs ago. although the conditions under which
the ships are likely To be called on to fight have
UNDERGONE a radical change. This change lies
mainly in the development OF the explosive pro
irctile 10 which light armor offers little Impcdi-
ment. and which Is surc 10 be disastrous In It's
effect II explosion takes place where the motive
power Of a ship can he reached by flying frag-
mcnts
Whatever the final decision may be regarding
the points involved. the paper indicates that CON
illusions arrived at after long and serious study
differ radically from those embodied in our new
vessels, and that 1t might be advantageous TO
consider them before deciding upon the designs
France has set IN example which the present
discussion shows 1t would be well for the United
STATES to follow When France decides on a
course of construction OF war vessels, de-
signs. plans. ideas and suggestions are In
vilcd from all who have to do with the ships
cspcclally In the way OF construction. Every
possbc source OF inspiration Is levied on
and the younger members Of the corps
are on an equal footing with the heads OF
the department far the consideration Of
their suggestions Is concerned. II plan sug-
gesied by junior member Of the corps at any
one Of the yards Is shown to possess novel or
merItorious features, a substitute Is provided for
the man. and he is brought to headquarters and