Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-26

Secretary Long believes-as doubtless do
a great majority of the people-that the ex-
t.nsion Of the nations boundaries due to
the war with Spain makes unavoidable the
iuty of enlarging the naval forces. Az
r"Tdtngly. in his annual report he points to
the recommendations of the naval board of
construction and declares that appropria-
lions to build the fifteen vessels included
IN that program should be made al
once. agSregating ST, 1OO. $50 this amount
not covering the cost of armor and arma-
uenL The ships thus enumerated are:
Three Seagoing sheathed and coppered bat
lie ships of about $50 tons each, with thu
heaviest armOr and the most powerful ord
nance, and to have the highest practicable
speed and radius of action; three sheathed
and coppered armored cruisers of l2uO
tons each. also with the heaviest armor and
ordnance. and other qualities suitable for
that class Of vessel; three sheathed and
coppered protected cruisers of about 5000
Z, rs, also the speediest and most powerful
u the class, and six sheathe and coppered
cruisers of about > 500 tons. This program
includes ey-r ~ branch of the navy repre-
scented in the conventional types and does
not contemplate such designs as monitors.
-tc. II seems 10 have been taught by the
NaA N4isit thC swift piOltCttu or drmOrS1
cruiser and the swift battle ship are the
most effective types 1t IS due 10 The les
81 rs thus learned that the new navy should
D. developed along lines Of the most favor
able experience.
II Il to be noted that all of the fifteen
ships. of whatever tonnage, thus recon-
u.ended. are to be sheathed and coppered.
This is vindicatiCn of Chief Constructor
HiChhDTU who has haau
the adoption of this process for the pre-
yeUtiou of foul bottoms on mep-of-var
During the war with Spain much trouble
was caused by the fouling of the ships, and
n some cases the speeds were reduced by
half. and when the time came for rapid
n Il work the commanders were seriously
handicapped by the tagging of one or more
members. due to the barnacIes and other
.r"wths ON the huls. 1t is well established
mat the barnacle will not adhere to a con-
per hull, and ii is estimated that the use
u THIS expensive material, which of course
,alls for protecting sheathing between il
and the steel skin of the ship to prevent
sHlyanic action, will far more than be saved
IN a single season of cruising in reduced
coal bills and in the lowering of docking
Expenses But in case of war no item of
Expense Is too great If IL will permit the
driving Of ships at full speed when emer-
sencies arise calling for quick action This
program is altogether satisfactory from
the point of view of the war; both as to its
results and its lessons. The acquisition of
far-away territory brings with it a neces-
~ity which must Immediately be met. and
the Secretary's urgings should be quickly
followed by Congress. These fifteen ships.
together with those now under construc
il"n and those of the present naval
force which will be in good condition
when the additional vessels are completed
will give the United States working navy
~ which IL can be proud and on which 1t
can rely for any kind of work which the
future may cut out for It,