The times., 1898-08-06
THE NEW BATTLESHIPS.
To Have Greater Rate of Speed md
More Displacement

Secretary Long has decided that the en-
tire subject of displacement and speed of
the three new battleships authorized at
the last session of Congress be reopened
for consideration. The biIity of
constructing more powerful ships than
those contemplated in the existing plans
will be taken under immediate advise
ment by the board of bureau chiefs. who
had previously agreed on vessels of about
1900 tons displacement and a speed of
about sixteen knots an hour.
The discussion on the question of speed
has led 10 much adverse criticism of the
declared policy of the department to adj
here to plans and type of battleships rep
resented by the Alabama and Illinois
class. and there is a strong probability
now that the new vessels will be the
speediest of their class afioat, and will
also be considerably larger than any bat
tleships built for the new navy.
To enable the officials to construct such
ships will require congressional authority
and appreciation, as the plans for the
proposed vessels, for which bids are to be
opened on September !, limit the dis
placement to 800 tons, and the cost
within the appropriation provided in the
last naval act. Both Secretary Long and
the leading experts who decide upon and
design all new vessels of the navy are
now convinced that it would be a mistake
to build these little ships, which in design
and speed show no advance over those
authorized from three to six years ago,
and that to keep pace with the most ad-
vanced ideas of battleship construction
all the new vessels which may be con-
structed in this country should be of the
highest possible type for efficiency, speed
and battery power.
The bureau chiefs have considered in
formally the question OF changing the
machinery of the proposed vessels. and of
adhering, If possible to the present plans
for displacement and battery arrange
ment Chief Engineer Melville believed
that with water-tube boilers and more
space for installing his engines, speed
of eighteen knots could be secured, but
Chief Constructor Hichborn has demon
strated to the board that 1t is not feasi-
bic without iengthening the vessels and
modifying existing plans, which are in
all respects those of the three sister ships,
Wisconsin Alabama and Illinois. These
facts having been brought to the Secre-
tarys attention, he has concluded that
if the new vessels are to be given
higher speed powenit would be advisable
at the same time, probably, TO advance
their efficiency in other directions as well.
The experts have considered the sab
ject, and while the discussion has not yet
developed the opinions OF all the indl-
vidual members, it is understood that
the board will recommend that the sizes
of the vessels be advanced to 12,50O tons.
which would rate them 1000 tons ahead
of the Iowa, and that the batteries also
be made more powerful than those de-
cided on originally.
1t was determined that the speed be
raised at any rate, and If it is decided
that this cannot be done without calling
for a complete revision of present de-
signs the Secretary will be asked to rec
ommend to Congress an increased appro-
priation and authority to build battle
ships of about 1850 tons instead of ''a
displacement of about LOCO TONS" as is
now provided.
They will have four Pinch guns and