The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-08-29
SPEED OF BATTLESHIPS.

There has been general expression in
favor Of faster battleships, and, in fact.
the speed capacity of three now on the
stocks has been augmented by orders
from the Navy Department. But there
are authorities which doubt the useful
ness Of the speedy battleship.
If the speed of one of these ships is
increased in the original plans without
sacrificing offensive and defensive quail
tiles, it can be done only by increasing
size. Our harbors require that our larg-
est ships should not exceed twenty-four
feet draught. To increase displacement,
therefore, we must enlarge the chip in
length and breadth. But such enlarge
ment is liable to render the ship less
seaworthy and to render her ugly to
handle in evolutions, and may exclude
her from our drydocks.
Some of the authorities doubt if a
practical value in a fighting ship. No
naval battle was ever fought at as high
a rate of speed as that, and for steam
ing long distances such speed could not
be employed. The Cervera squadron
was recorded as speedy, but in its last
fight it was overhauled and destroyed
by ships that did not exceed normal
speed in the effort.
These are the opinions Of several high
naval authorities quoted by the New
York Times But the Engineering
News" opposes and points out that the
public by the success Of our ships in
this war has been led to put too much
confidence in their powers, and indulge
in a disposition to ignore their weak
points. 1t declares that had the Span
ish ships at Santiago been able to reach
such speed as their engine power should
have given them, the chances are that
they would have got out of our range
before we could have inflicted much
damage upon them. The Christobal Co
Ion did get away and out Of effective
range, but the Brooklyn had the same
rate of speed, without the heavy ar
NOR and armament of the Colon. In a
duel between the two, fought with equal
skill on both sides. the Brooklyn would
probably have been worsted. Indeed
what the result would have been had the
two vessels fought alone can never be
known. for the Oregon came in as an
aid TO the Brooklyn and made defeat Of
the enemy sure.
AS to the shallowness of our harbors
and the width of our drydocks, the
News" says there are only fourteen
Atlantic ports which our twenty-four-
foot draught ships can enter at low
water when loaded to that figure. But
This is not a matter Of much conse-
ouence If ship can reach the naval
stations and drydocks it is Of little mo-
vnent whether she can enter other home
norts or not. AS for drydocks, we can
b,,ild them to accommodate our ships,
ond must do so. We cannot afford to be
content with a sixteen-knot speed while
other nations are building battleships
which exceed that figure.
We had rather build schools than bat
.,esb;ns factories than cruisers; but as
long as other nations progress in naval
architecture so must we. We cannot
brook anything Of a second-rate order.
American armor plate is equal to any
q, tho world; American guns are on
mar with the very best. Why should
not American battleships be made as
fost az any? The strength of argument
g unouestionably with the authority
Let referred to, and that is now rein
1000 bvs the order of the Secretary of
the Navy that the new batleships snaii
he rated for high speed.