The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-13
SOME LESSONS OF THE WAR.
President Griscom's Address TO Ameri
can Shipbuilders.

NEW YORK, Nov. 1O-In an address
delivered in this city today before the
sixth annual meeting OF the Society OF
Naval Architects and Marine Engineers,
an organization which includes the most
prominent shipbuilding men and snip
owners In the country President Clement
A. Griscom, of Philadelphia, discussed
the naval lessons to be derived from the
late war; and said:
I accept this further evidence OF your
good will and confidence with a renewed
appreciation of the distinguished honor
you have again conferred upon me by re-
eiecting me as your president.
The past year has been one OF excep-
tional interest to the members of this
society. The iaureis won on the decks
OF the war ships built in the shipyards
of the United States have electrified the
world. and the marvellous victories gained
reflect credit which can-wcll be shared
by our gallant sailors with the designers
and builders of those ships which they
commanded with imperishable honor.
The demands made by the Government
IN the war with Spain for golfers, water
boats troop ships. hospital ships. supply
vessels. guard boats blockading vessels,
scouts and cruisers largely exceeded the
supply found in our merchant marine.
The navy purchased about ITO vessels OF
various classes. and the War Department
chartered and purchased about 100 i'm
portant steamships. and these 200 ships,
from yacht to translantic liner. were
fitted out for the purposes OF the war
with Incredible dispatch, and upon the
whole in a most effective manner
The vessels so taken or purchaser all
rendered valuable service to the Govern
ment and gave sea experience TO large
number of men, which we can confidently
hope will prove a stimulation TO sea en-
ployment
An enormous public interest has been
awakened in the performance OF this So
called Auxiliary Navy" and the practi-
cal lesson the country has received from
the late war leads me to repeat what
] had the honor of saying 10 you in 1891.
On that occasion I said:
"It should be understood that modern
naval force with all it's multitude OF
equipment arms munitio-s and accesso-
ries cannot he produced on the spur OF
the moment. but Is the product of naval
architects. steelmakers and a host OF
others. whose skill can only be obtained
by experience.
at must not be overlooked that the
personal element In warfare. as IN peace.
Is an all-powerful one, sometimes pre-
dominating. sometimes secondary. but al
ways of the greatest Importance, and,
therefore an adequate navy Is necessary.
not only for the actual representation or
power and force, but also 10 secure TO
pur officers and men that superior nauti-
cal training only 10 be obtained by such
continued experience at sea as made he
roes OF Hull Decatur and Farragut
'sThe fun development OF a naval force.
however Is not possible unless the growth
OF the merchant marine has kept pace
with the naval development. The words
OF Sir Nathaniel Barnaby, No nation
can maintain an efficient navy without
q prosperous commercial marine to sup
port st. has still the force OF an axiom.
II should not be overlooked that. In time
OF war.the conversion OF fast mall steam
ers into armed cruisers Is generally rec
ognized among all maritime nations as
a most formidable means OF offense or de-
Tense for any country so fortunate as to
possess them: moreover 10 provide for
the expansion OF naval personnel rem
dered necessary in time OF war, there
must be a well-trained merchant marine
10 draw upon, and those nations which
have not encouraged ship-building and
ship-ownInr IN times OF peace must In
ovftabiy suffer from their short-righted
ana marrow policy when confronted with
= powerful hostile feet-"
None Of US supposed, when these obser-
xatione were made. that within four
short years this country would be con-
frontsd with foreign war which has
nnaAs these remarks almost prophetic.
for the lesson has been vividly brought
homo q us that IN order TO sustain sffec-
tive naval and military operation. not
eniv Ves the entire commercial marine
q ~ sevatry. suitable Tor the purn>s>