The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-07
OF THE NAVY
Captain Bradford Submits His
Annual Report.
COAL SUPPLY PROBLEM
The Bureau at One Time Wa In Des-
perate Straits for Cosl-Fresh
Water for Boilers The
Electrical Appliances.

Washington, Dec. 6.-An account OF
how the navy was equipped to meet
the emergency created by the
war is contained in the an
nual report of Captain r. Il.
Bradford, chief Of the bureau OF equip
ment. navy department. Captain Brad
ford says the demands upon the bureau
and it's subordinate branches-the naval
observatory. the photographic office.
compass division. nautical and electri-
cal appliances division-occasioned by
the war were very great. This was es-
sentialiy so with reference to the coal
supply OF the fleet. When wal threat
ened the bureau made every possible
effort to procure coaling stations near
the scene of its probable location. d.
recting special efforts. without success,
however, to the passages about the An
titles. There was only n coal shed
at Key West and one lighter, but
eventually all the available space there
was covered with sheds with q storage
capacity of 10000 tons.
AS "A preparation for war the bureau
had asked for inc obtained many ten
ders for the transportation and supply
OF coal. When the crucial
came, Will lnt tAStptiOh VI a titSiN
Baltimore firm, all declined to adhere
to their offers on account of war risks.
The department was in desperate
straits. but the alternative was to pur-
chase ships and arm and man them as
transports. Five GOLFERS were pur-
chased, ranging in price from $4,000
for the Sterling to S342 900 for the Mer-
rimac. The first great emergency hav-
ing passed and the squadron being re-
lieved. additional GOLFERS, mostly for
eign vessels, were purchased at fair
prices, and eventually the bureau pos
sessed an efficient armed collier fleet
with a carrying capacity of $4,000 tons
for use in the Atlantic.
one lesson of the war, the report
continues, was a demonstration that in
future fresh water for boilers must be
supplied to the fleet in transports, just
as coal is carried. With the excep-
ton of the oregon. the distilling plants
aboard our warships proved made
quate, owing chiefly TO leaky steam
pipes. 1t was more difficult to supply
fresh water to ships at Key West than
TO supply coal. The boilers of the
ships on blockade before Santiago were
much injured for the want OF fresh
water. and gave the commander-in-
chief much concern. The bureau has
heretofore bought fresh water for
steaming purposes. but that was too
expensive. To remedy this evil the bu-
GpAu Is DTOGufDHb a NdAti "a "
each naval station n Is erecting dis
filling plants where necessary. Ii has
also procured a tank ship to carry
water in bulk.
The eouipment bureau bought near
ly 5O0.O 600 tons of coal at the rate
of S4.6S per ton. The year before only
1875, 3lS tons were bought, at a cost OF
s4.75 per ton. The coal bought abroad
741ll tons. cost SSH per ton. The IN
creased cost of Goa abroad was due
TO serious and prolonged strikes of coal
miners and threatened war between
foreign nations. BY watching the mar
kets and making close contracts the
bureau was able to keep the cost down
10 a minimum ana at n price believed
10 be remarkable in view of the con-
ditiOns.
Captain Bradford regards with much
concern the constantly increasing de-
mands for repairs and renewals Tor
electrical outfits and supplies of ships.
Ii is earnestly recommended thai a
special corps of men be provided 10
care for the electrical plants. Captain
practically controls the most important
| electrical supplies. with the usual high
prices. he considers IL advisable TO
erect in the New York nav yard, for
the purpose of overcoming this evil,
sufficient appliances for the manufac-
ture Of the articles which are now pur-
chased.
While the results Of the homing pig
con service have not been as s~atisfac-
tory as desired. especially at Key west,
near the seat of war, yet. Captain
Bradford says. this la have been u
TO the climate and the want OF an ex-
perienced man to care for the birds.
He recommends a further trial or the
system.