The sun., 1897-10-25
CONSTRUCTOR HICHBoRN's REPORT
Estimates for ls80-PFobRbIe Oatc or Compile
tIon or the ~ VesseIs Now nulIdinE.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 24.-Bofore proceeding in
his annual report to tell Secretary Long what
the Bureau of Construction and Repair accom-
pllshed In the year ended June 80, 1897 Philip
Hichborn, chief OF tho bureau. gives the cst-
mates for appropriations desired in tho year
ending juno 80. 1899. These include So. 500, 900
for the completion of work already authorized
on the Hartford and Chicago. including outfits,
and for the building Of three bnrges; $3.970,473
for hulls and outfits OF vessels and steam ma
chincry for vessels heretofore authorized;
Sl25 900 FOR training vessel for tho Naval
Academy to be propelled by sail S35oo0 for
repairs and improvements to navy yard plants,
$50. 900 each at New York, Boston, Portsmouth,
League Island, Norfolk, Mare Island and Puget
Sound.
Constructor IIichborn gives the probable date
OF completion OF the twenty-five vessels now
under construction, Tho oattcships Kcarsarge
and Kentucky will be completed In August,
1899, and the Illinois, Alabama, and Wisconsin
in September Of the samo year. All the other
vessels will DO completed by Jan. /, 1893. Tho
probable date of final completion Of the Illinois.
Alabama, and Wisconsin is based OH tho sup
position that armor will be delivered without
undue delay.
A question which has received great deal OF
consideration during tho past year, and which
OF the most desirable and efficient power TO:
turning turrets. The greatest confidence. says
Mr.. Hichborn, has been placed In the hydraulic
gear both in this country and abroad, but re-
cent experiments have shown that electrical
turning gear possesses many advantages over
both steam and hydraulic apparatus. The Kear
sarge and Kentucky have been equipped with
electric motors throughout tho turrets.
Dry docks and armor plate, two subjects that
have received much attention, the past few
months especial y, are discussed at length in the
report. The Chief Constructor SAYS:
Serious inconvenience has been experienced
| during the past six months through the lack OF
proper docking facilities for the ilrstclass battle
ships. Had there been o rupture in tho peace
relations of this country. what has been an in
| convenience would havo become a positive
calamity.
The grave necessity for more dry docks OF u
| capacity to take our largest Dattleships has
| been fully demonstrated. In their annual re-
| ports relative to the improvement of plants at
| strucors at Boston, Norfolk. and Mare Island
have each strongly recommended the building
| OF an additional dry dock at the yard at which
1.-The bureau believes that the necessity for
| nm additional dock Is most urgent at the Mare
Island yard, for the reasons stated by the naval
constructor. On this coast dry docks are
a larger dock at Norfolk and at League Island
would be OF decided advantage The bureau
| believes that five large additional docks. located
as suggested above, would be none too many.
and has to recommend. further that no expense
should be spared in obtaining convenient, eff
cient substantial. and economical structures.
and such rs can be ready for use within two
| years.
-" Recent developments in the armor question
| have naac II very evident that the department
| should no longer make separate contracts for
| ships and for their artnor. The bureau believes
| that single contract would be more bic
| to the sbipuuilders and more satisfactory and
| advantageous to the Government"
Ia tod
| tables giving the dimensions and other particu
| lars OF all vessels belonging to the navy. built
| and building or authorized. together with their
| present station or condition. The total is 14l,
| divided as follows: First-class battleships. .;
| armorcd rams. !; doubie.turrctei monitors, Il;
single-turreted moni ors IS: protected cruisers.
81 nIss io eomp6se @ s9
| iron cruising vessels .; wooden cruising YES.
| sells, IL; sailing vessels, 8; tugs. IA; wooden
| steam vessels unfit for service, 3; wooden
| sailing vossels unit for sea service. q.