The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-15
IMPROVED MONITORS.
long want. to Know How Mu

kOng Wants to Know How Much
s# They VIII Cost.
III New York, November IA special to
she Tribune from Washington says: Sec
2etary Long tomorrow win send letter
~ each Of the four firms that secured con-
facts last month to build the single tur-
stet monitors. asking them TO estimate the
s1rrreased cost OF improved vessels on modi-
ned lines just adojted by the board of con-
(3ruction as its session.
XII In the meantime, under directions from
he department, work will not be begun on
De Arkans' the Connecticut, the F'lori-
H. and the Wyoming, until the new esti-
mates are received ami considered by the
authorities.
MI Before the contracts for these vessels
|Xere signed as early as October 4, thu
Fiomne ca'ed attention to the fact that
% aggregate of the bids for the four mont
prs was only $3,422, 900, leaving surplus
+ more than ST. 900 out of the S., 900. 900
appropriated to build first class vessels
XlguIes produced by naval experts we're
esentea at that time showing that it was
ntAely feasible by the application of this
Leus' before the contracts were MADE. to
pa another turret aud double the coal sup
ci these monitors, making them larger
~ Detuef than the Monterey and the Mon
Adnock, which has just been sent across
me Pacific to hold Manila, and to secure
&esseis OF three times the coal capacity of
l2e Amphitrite, the Miantonomah and the
Nerror and far superior to them in formid-
Apsiity and value as warships. The legal
'Aptnonities OF the navy department howev-
"a oecloea-it later appeared on insuffic-
Int consideratioE--tha the contracts must
NJ AWARDED for the vessels as originally de-
4enec. although month eaIlier. through
- EFFORTS OF the Tribune, two knots had
zen added to the speed OF the new battle
dips by method Identical with that pro-
Xpsed for the monitors.
III Soon after the contracts were exe,ntea
Me naval authorities became convinced
pat 1T would be unwfse to build the VS.
us according to the original plans. ana
pc OF the contractors came TO Washington
md showed that he could easily increase
as vessel to the dimensions suggested in
Pc Tribune without exceeding thu orig nal
appropriation by congress. He proposed
imply to lengthen the vessels ana add an
(her turret. reducing the caliber OF the
uns from twelve inches to ten inches. He
bowed that the new Hotchkiss rifle, with
rger charges of smokeless powder, would
e much more powerful than the Pinch
uns OF the 1890 design. which 1t had bs,n
crsed to put into the original vessel,
I'd his project met with such favor that
e supposed legal objection to building
bitter ships with the money in hand quick
disappeared. Secretary Long the. eupon
reated the builders TO delay beginning
pc ships. and referred the whole question
pee more to the board OF construction, At
be same time announcing his determine
On TO build the best ships that could be
cured at all events.
The modified plan adopted by the board
construction calls for vessels of 1000
fv,a<4 IA 4.
" Of 400 tens instead of 200 ions. giving
range OF action exceeding 1000 knots at
kncd speed. which equals that of the eea-
ping hattleship Iowa, Two turreis, with
Mn io-inch guns. replace the single II
en- turret. The original speed of twelve
pots is retained. compelling engines and
pliers of 1900 horse power instead OF 2400
Prise power. The hull has bsen materially
frightened and broadened. and the draught
pc been Increased from twelve feet siN
ches to fourteen feet--six inches. In the
Few design the protective deck is two and
-heaf inches instead of une and one
barter Inches. and tine interior bracilg OF
e vessel Is made slightly heavier and
ronger.
The estimated cost OF the arnior for the
1ginal design was 100000 II Is calsu-
lted that this will be increased TO s1S7.000
y the larger vessel and this fact together
18th the other added weights which were
emed essentsaf to the improved monitors.
Jay compel the department to ask congress-
remove the unprecedented restriction
naoh was nlaie in the appropriation for
ese vessels. Up TO this time the appro-
rieuor bills for all warships have provid-
limit for the hull engines and boilers,
fc.usiye OF armor and armament. but the
y r., 49, 1898. providing fer four harbor
efense SAsels stipulated that they should
Post exclusive OF armament not exceed
" xl.2ho 600 each" although In the same
fL provision WAS made for battleships Ito
Psf, exclusive OF armor ard armament, not
fceediag 81, 900. 600"
II y believed that the exception in the