Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-06
MR. HERBERT'S REPORT
The Navy in Good Condition,
Though Too Small.
TO DEFF"D THE COAST LINE
RecOmmfv' Additional Power to the secre-
: tary IN Case Of War.
THE 8 NAVAL MILITIA DEALT WITH
a anna Not Mentioned as Having Such
= Organization-Use of Oil For Fuel
To be Given a Test-Other
Recommendations,
TO DEFF'D THE COAST LINE
lE laval MILITIA DEALT WITH

Washington, D. c., Dec 5.-Secretary
Herbert, in his annual report, asks con-
gress at the coming session to authorize
three light-draft battleships and twelve
torpedo boats. He recommends that these
ships be planned for an extreme deep
load draught of not more than twenty
three feet, and suggests that considera-
tions of strategy upon our Atlantic and
gulf coasts render this an essential to
the success of naval campaigns.
This reasoning" he says, "is the re-
suit of much careful study by able officers
of conditions as they exist on our south
ern coast. Battleshps that could enter
the harbors of Savannah, Brunswick,
Key West, Tampa, Pensacola, Mobile,
and the mouth of the Mississippi, at all
times would have an immense advantage
over the battleships of foreign nations,
few, If any, of which could enter these
ports. Light-draft battleships, If we had
them, could make any of these ports
bases of supply, could sally forth from
them or retire into them at will, and could
therefore almost always offer battle on
their own terms.
There are also many of our ports fur
lHeT HOGlH WHICH WOulu give the same
advantage to such ships"
An interesting feature of the report Is
a resume of the progress of the upbuild-
ing of the new navy from the time of its
inauguration under Secretary Chandler.
Congress has authorized under the pres
ent administration twenty -eight vessels,
with O total tonnage of 65,S66 tons. OF
these, five are first-class battleships and
sixteen torpedo boats. Large as the
above increase appears" says the secre- i,
tary, "it yet does not suffice to place the
United States navy in a satisfactory con-
dition, If we mean to be able at all times
to defend our long line of seacoast, af-
ford unquestionable protection to our cit
liens in foreign lands, render efficient aid
to our diplomacy and sustain under all
circumstances our national honor"
The secretary, calling attention to the
comparative naval strength of the prin-
cipal powers, states that while the re-
suits achieved by the United States are
highly creditable to the country, yet, 1t
is clear that the great powers with which
we are brought into close relationship
largely exceed us not only in the num-
Der of battleships and torpedo boats ac-
tually in commission, but in their naval
programmes for the future.
The secretary shows that ION June 80.
1898, there were thirty vessels in COM
mission, with a tonnage OF $3.50 tons,
while on Dec. 10, the total tonnage In
commission will be 1877 ,S59 tons"
sity for some legislation by congress,
which will enable the department to
make use, in case of an emergency, or
the tugs, yachts and vessels engaged in
the fishing fleets and coastwise and lake
trade and to call into the service of the
navy the sailors and officers necessary
to command and fit such ships In case or
threatened Or actual war He recon-
mends an additional appropriation for
the purpose of supplying guns and am
with which tn vessels to
be called into service from our merchant
marine.
Reference is also made to reserve sys-
tenn, and the secretary sets forth the re-
port of board appointed to formulate
q general plan for the laying up of vessels
in reserve and, in this connection 1t Is
announced that the department expects
to be able to submit to the congress at
an early day during the coming session
suggestions for such legislation as may
be needed to enable 1t to provide proper
accommodations for ships so that 1t may
establish and maintain a reserve system
with the value and Importance OF which
the department is deeply Impressed.
The subject of the naval militia is dealt
with at some length, and II Is shown thau
at the close of the last administration
the number of naval militia lawtuily
certified was 1794 divided among the
statesgof Rhode Island, Maryland, South
Carolina, North Carolina, Massachus-
etts, California and New York. From
the last official returns they now number
333g in the states of California, New
York, Massachusetts, North Carolina,
Rhode Island Maryland, South Carolina,
Pennsylvania Illinois, Connecticut. Michi-
gan, New Jersey, Georgia, and LOUISE
ana and the department has been IN
formed of the prospective formation or
an additional battalion in New YORK lat
Brooklyn), and an organization in ONO.
During the summer the various pat.
taIions have been drilled on vessels OF
the navy and have had the advantages
of target practice and drills with the
batteries of the ships.
The secretary devotes considerable
space to reviewing the reports or the
chiefs of bureaus which have already
been published and In this connection
asks congress to authorize the building
of a dock at Norfolk of sufficient size
to take in the largest vessel of the navy
This. he recommends should be con-
structed of concrete, as II Is more dura-
ble more readily repaired and cheaper
than wooden dock.
Such satisfactory experiments nave
been made by liquid fuel by Engineer
in-Chief Melville that the department
has ordered that tug now belns con.
structed at the Norfolk yard ana one OF
the smaller torpedo boats being butt by
the Herreshoff company be htted FOR
using this oil, intending thus to thor
oughly test its capabilities. These boats
will be adapted for coal II oil falls.
For the relief of the overworked en-
gineeer corps it Is urged that their NUM-
Der be Increased until the limit shall
reach 25O instead OF 1914 as at present
1t is announced that training station
on the Pacific coast on the island Of
Yerba Buena, as provided by congress.
will soon be established and that In the
meantime the Adams. now returning
from Honolulu, will be fitted for the