The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-15
CONDITION OF THE navy.
Secretary Longs Report on Plans For
Its Improvement.
THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.

The Present EnecEve ElChtinR Force oi
warships and tho Number Under Con.
struction-Recommend That One
BattIeslIip and Three Torpedo Boats Be
BuiIt-Pacihc Fleet Must Be Increased.
WASHINGTON, D. G. (speoiaD.- 1.-The an
nual report of Secretary Of the Navy John
D. Long for 1897 has just been presented
to President Mckinley. The volume con-
tains extracts from the reports Of the chiefs
OF the several departments and bureaus
and their recommendations respecting the
appropriations needed to continue the
work, and also a report Of the work COM
pleted and under construction.
It shows that the present effective fight.
ing force Of the navy consists Of 4 battle
ships of the first class, 2 battleships Of the
second class, 2 armored cruisers, 16 cruis-
ers, Is gunboats, 6 double-turreted moni-
tors, ram, dynamite gunbost, dispatch
boat, l.. transport steamer and 8 torpedo
boats. There are under construction 8
battleships OF the first class, 16 torpedo
other naval vessels, including those used
as training, receiving and naval reserve
ships, tugs, disused single-turreted moni-
tors and some unserviceable craft.
There is, further, the auxiliary feet.
This consists, first, of more than 20 subsi-
died steamers, which comply with the re-
quirements Of the postal act OF March 8,
1891, with regard to their adaptability to
naval service, and to an armament OF
main and secondary batteries: second, OF q
very much greater number Of large mer-
yyhf
ayailed of at any time OF need. These
auxiliaries, ranging from 1000 to $4,000
tons, will, II occasion require, form pow.
erful feet of ocean cruisers. capable OF
swift and formidable attack upon an en-
emy's commerce. Their great coal ca
pacity will also enable them to remain a
long time at sea in search Of the where
abouts Of hostile vessels. ~
The report says that the country Is to be
congratulated upon the results obtained
in the rebuilding Of the navy. While It's
ships are not as maryland It Is not neees-
sary they should be-as those OF some
other great powers, they are, class for
class, In power, speed, workmanship, and
offensive and defensive qualities, the
equal OF vessels built anywhere else In the
world. gr>.
In referring to the progress Of naval con-
Btruction abroad. Secretary Long says
that England leads, and that one OF the
most striking examples OF naval progress
is that of Japan: She already ranks next
to England and France, and, according to
the report, Japan will be the strongest
naval power in the Pacific. Ocean, II her
present programme is continued until 1892.
According to the report, five battleships
under construction will not be ready for
service until the latter part OF 1892.
One OF the most important additions to-
the navy during the past year CONSISTED IN
putting on the active list the light draught
and composite gunboats. With the excep-
tion Of tie Princeton, all the vessels OF this
type constructed have been commissioned.
The report recommends that the con-
Btruction Of one battleship and three tor
pedo boats be authorized by Congress. The
secretary also recommends that an ade-
quate supply of munitions OF war be pur-
chased, and that the equipment OF the navy
yards be kept up to the demands upon
them by the Increased number OF ships. In
view of the development OF Alaska and the
possible annexation ofislands In the Pacific,
It is suggested that the feet In those waters
be increased.