New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-17
NAST WARSHIPS TO BE BUILT
THEY WILL BE DESIGNED TO WIFI
ANY FIGHTING VESSELS IN
THE WORLD.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIrrNE.l


WASHINGTON Aug 16--The Navy Department
will ask Congress to authorize the construction
"A the largest and most formidable bdttle-ships
and cruisers anOat vessels without equals in
any foreign fleets and incOmparaby superior
IN offensive power. speed and endurance 20 any
n, the magnificent ships which few weeks ago
destroyed Cervera's squadron This decision.
reached at meeting of the Naval Board Of
Construction. to-day. Will be urged upon Con-
cress for promp' action. supported by argu
monts Of the most convincing character.
The subject was taken up at the direction Of
cocre,arv Long who desired TO have building
procran me thoroughly considered and agreed
rpon by the highest technical experts in the
service for presentation TO the legislative
branch of the Government in December To-
DAYS proceedings OF the Board were marked by
oonpletc unanimity regarding the greatest needs
- the Navy, and conspiCuOusly showed what
o great impression the recent fights have
made upon :he members particularly as TO
the necessity for high speed
As II was the first conference on this subject
only the general features OF the proposed ships
were taken into consideration. the working-out
~, details being left for the various experts 10
s,udy and report upon tomorrow and at sub
senueni meetings No impractlcahe schemes
for suddenly developing large number Of new
vessels or for an extensive programme. extend
tnr over several years was discussed The re-
sources Of the country. with the limited number
and facilities Of existing shipyardo for building
vessels OF the highest type. were recognized at
the outset. and It was decided that not more
than six frst-class ships could be begun at once
although any number Of smaller vessels could be
started without delay.
The Board practically agreed 10 begin the de
sign Of three battle-ships Of between 1900 and
II 900 tons displacement, with at least nineteen
knots maintained speed. radical advance from
the II 525-ton sixteen knot ships Of the Ala
bama and Kearsarge class, which now represent
the maximum powered units Of the American
Navy II was also determined to recommend
three first-class cruisers. Of about 12,oD tons
and Of not less than twenty-five knots speed.
nearly half again as large as the New York and
the Brooklyn and of from three 10 four knots
greater speed In addition to these. class OF
protected and partly armored cruisers OF be-
tween 5000 and 5000 tons similar 10 the Olym-
pia Admiral Dewey's flagship. but OF much
higher speed. was favorably considered, as well
as a new class OF 2.500-ton cruisers. little
larger than the Detroit and the Marblehead, and
smaller than the Atlanta and the Boston
Every member .of the Board warmly In.
dorsed the necessity Of sheathing every one OF
tfese vessels in the interests OF speed ana
economy and 10 make them practically inde-
pendent OF drydOcks. They viii therefore be
the first sheathel vessels in the United States
feet The members OF the Board are OF the
opinion that no more important naval lesson
has been learned from the recent war than
that Of the rapid deterioration below the water
line Of warships in tropical waters through the
accumulation of marine growth upon their
hulls reducing their speed in every instance
after q few months more thar ~ per cent ana
in some instances rs high as 90 per cent
The question Of gun caiSres and arInor on the
new battle-ships ana irst-class cruisers is st!H
unsettled but the CHIEF of Ordnance. Captain
O'Nein. who is president Of the Board an
nounced his readiness 10 agree TO maximum
calibre Of twelve inches II thereby more wide
ly extended disposition OF armOr could be oD-
taned with greater speed and greater coal en-
durance. He also favored an attempt 10 secure
the unprecedented speed Of twenty four knots
for the huge armored cruisers. and a minimum
OF twenty knots for the hattle-ships
The battle-ships Will be designed TO whip any
fighting vessel III the world Of whatever class,
and the cruisers are 10 be more fOrmdab ble than
any vessels Of their speed designed up 10 this
time in Europe The Board made no reference
20 torpedo boats. and Is not disposed 10 re-
commend any furthe~ increase of the hfty-one
vessels Of that type now built or authorized.