The record-union., 1896-12-06
CONGRESS Asked TO Authorize the COnStruC-
ton Of Fifteen War Vessels.
Three Light -Draught Battleships and
Twelve Torpedo Boats.

Vessels Necessary to the Success
If Naval Campaigns = The Navy
Should be Enlarged Sufficient to
Maintain Under All Circumstances
the Honor of the Nation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5-Secretary
of the Navy Herbert, in his annual re-
port, asks Congress at the coming ses-
sion to authorize three Hght-draught
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 considerations
of strategy on the upper Atlantic and
Gulf coasts render this an essential to
the success of the naval campaigns.
This reasoning" he says, lis the
final result of much careful study by
able officers of conditions as they exist
on our southern coast BattleShlps
that could enter the harbors of Savan-
nah, 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-draught
battleships, if we had them, could
make any of these ports bases of sup
ply, could sally forth from them or re-
tire into them at 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 a resume of the progress of the up
building of the new navy from the
time of its inauguration under Secre-
tary Chandler. Congress has author
lied during the present Administration
twenty EIGHT vessels, with total ton
mage of 65, 1856 tons OF these five are
first-class battleships and sixteen tor
pedo boats.
Large as the above increase ap-
pears" says the Secretary, lit is not
sufficient to place the United States
navy in satisfactory condition. We
mean to be able at all times to defend
our long line of sea coast, afford un-
questionable protection to our citizens
in foreign lands, render efficient aid to
our diplomacy, and maintain under all
circumstances our national honor"
The Secretary. calling attention to the
comparative naval strength of the Pow
ers, says that while the results achieved
by the United States are highly credit
able to the country, yet it is clear that
the great Powers with which we are
brought into close relationship largely
exceed our fleet, not only in the number
of battIeships and torpedo boats actual
ly in commission. but in their naval
programmes for the future.
The Secretary shows that on June
80, 1893, there were thirty vessels in
commission, with a tonnage of $3.50
tons, while on December 10th the to-
tai tonnage in commission will be 49,
$50 tons.
Attention Is again called to the ne
cessity for some legislation by Con-
gross 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 coastwise and
lake trade. and to call into the service
of the navy the sailors and officers ne
cessary to command and fit such ships
in case of threatened or actual war.
alton for the purpose of supplying guns
and ammunition with which to arm
vessels 10 be called into service from
our merchant marine.
Reference is also made to a reserve
system, and the Secretary sets forth the
report of board appointed to formulate
a general plan for the laying up of ves
sells in reserve. and in this connection
ii is announced that the Department
expects to be able to submit to Congress
at an early date during the coming ses-
sion suggestions for such legislation as
may be needed to enable It to provide
proper accommodations for ships, so
that it may establish and maintain
reserve system, the value and import
ance of which the department 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 number of naval militia lawfully
certified was ]. .19l. divided among the
States of Rhode Island, Maryland, South
Carolina. North Carolina, Massachu-
sets. California and New York. From
the last official returns they now number
3 33}9 in the States OF California, New
York Massachusetts. North Carolina,
Rhode Island, Maryland, South Caro-
lima, Pennsylvania Illinois, Connecticut,
Michigan, New Jersey, Georgia and
Louisiana. and the Department has been
Informed Of the prospective formation
of an additional battalion in New York
(at Brooklyn), and an organization in
Ohio. During the summer the various
battalions have been drilled on vessels
of the navy, and have had the advan-
tages of target practice and drills with
the batteries of the ships.
The Secretary devotes considerable
space to reviewing the reports of the
chiefs of bureaus, which have already
been published, and in this connection
asks Congress to authorize the building
Of dock at Norfolk of sufficient size to
take in the largest vessel of the navy
He recommends that it be constructed Of
concrete, as it Is more readily repaired
and cheaper than a wooden dock.
Such satisfactory experiments have
been made with liquid fuel by Engineer
in-Chief Melville. that the. department
has ordered that a tug now being con-
structed at the Norfolk yards and one
OF the smaller torpedo boats being built
by the Herreschoff Company be fitted
for using this oil, intending thus to thor