Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-10-15
WILL SOON BE-
 THIRD FROM HEAD.
When the Warships That Are Now Being Built Are Finished She
 Will Take That Position.
FIVE OF THE VESSELS
 ARE EMPHASIZES.
All of the Fifty Five Warships Are Now More Than Half Finished, and Some Are Ready For Their
 Trial Trips.


 Washington, Oct 14-rhe remark able rapidity with which the naval pow CT of the United States is being increased at the present time may be realized when 1t is s5ated that 55 war vessels are now under contract for the government and that their aggregate tonnage far ex- ceeds that of the vessels building at any one time in the civil war This vast construction programme, which has ex- cited mere attention abroad than at home, has been authorized gradually by congress until the vessels soon to be completed will place the United States third in rank among the sea powers. In addition to the enormous feet, including auxiharies. actually in commission at the present tune, 20 vessels are in vari- ous stages Of readiness and the ship builders are hurriedly gathering the ma terial for 8 others. Of the B vessels eight are 6ts5 class heavily armored sea going battleships, 38 are torpedo boats, l fouE8re monitors and one is a powerful cruiser.
 Chief Constructor Hichborn has com pleted tabulated statement showing the degree of completion of the 20 yes sels now nearly ready for commission or rapidly approSsAiag that condition, from which 1t appears that F of these vessels have already been launched and that the others will be hoated before tho end Of this year Of the five batt1e- ships, the Kearsarge, Kentucky and the Illinois, building at Newport News, are respectively 68, 66 and 55 per cent complete. The Alabama, at the Cramp yards, Philadelphia, has advanced to 63 per cent and the Wisconsin, at the Union Iron works, San Francisco, is ex- actly half finished
 | Of the 10 torpedo boats, the 26.knot Rowan at Seattle, is rated 99 per cent, and will have her trial trip before the end of this week.
 The 3G-knot Farragut, the first of the destroyers to be finished by the govern ment, has already been tried by the Scotts at San Francisco, and although readily making her guaranteed speed, has had the misfortune to sustain minor injuries which may be very easily rem edied
 Tho Dahlgren and the T. M. A. Cra- ven, go-knot boats, building at Bath, Me, are listed 90 and s1 per cent com plete, but will not be deliverable to the government before spring.
 The two 2215-lnot boats, the Davis and the Fox, at Portland, Or, are prac- tically ready for trial, and the Davis may have her speed run next week.
 The Mackenzie has just been complet- cd by Hillman & Go of Philadelphia. and her trial has been ordered for the first of next week. This boat is almost Q year behind contract.
 The statutes of the remaining three 30. knot desmoyers are as follows: The STingham, at Wilmington, Del, 48 per cent, the Goldsborough, at Portland Or, 2S per cent, and tho Bailey, at the works of the Gas Engine and Power company of New Y York, 37 per cent
 The suomorine torpedo boar Planeer is also within 15 per cent af completion and will probably be pat inta a next month
 Two t2.l1not tug boats which are noW being bnilt at the navyyards have lada rapid progress in the last month, the Penrocz ar New York being rated 8t G per cent ana the Pawtucket at Mare land at 80 par cent
 ha i6lg ship Chesapeake, building lae Bath Iron works for use as s1alalag sl at the naval academy, g per cent ready She has the disune- slo1 Of being the first sheathod vessel da. signed for the American navy and the 6rss sailing vessel laid down fer naval nannesea lD over % years.
 ae iass ship under construction, e6.
 those whose kaals have no5 Boan ta2ds ls tae cruiser Albany, building a6 Armstrong;, Elswick, Bag She was only 43 per contemplated when pure i chased together with the cruiser New Orleans from the Brazilian government just before war was declared with Spain, and work was only begnn on her two weeks ago The contractors have all