New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06

NEGOTIATING FOR THE NEWPORT NEWS
SIIPYARD.
C. ?. HUNTINGTON CONFIRMS THE RrPORT-A
GrNMAKING PLANT IN CONNECTION WITH
TIE SNIrBl.ILnING INnI.sT


THE sHIPBJILDrNG INDUSTRY.
1t was reported in May OF this year that the
noted shipbudng firm of Vckers Sons &
Maxim. Of Barrow Furness. England. was
about to purchase interest in the Crainp &
Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, of
Philadelphia. the capital stock ~ which cor
poration would he increased from S5.oc0.00o to
SlOW0O00, the additional capital to be supplied
by the English concern. This rumor was denied
by Charles II. Cramp. president OF tho Cramp
company and the alliance. II any had been in
contemplation. did not take place. But II de-
veloped yesterday that there after all
strong probability that the famous English ship
building and gunmaking firm would extend its
operations to this country. acquiring large in
terest in the great Newport News shipyard.
where. il the negotiations now in progress are
brought to successful conclusion. n big plant
for the manufacture of cannon Will also be
established. Tribune reporter yesterday
asked {. I. Huntington If It was correctly re-
ported that English firm had bought the
Newport News shipyard.
Mr.. Huntington answered:
1T is not true, because the yard has not been
sold yet, but have been in negotiation with
the Messrs. Nickers' Sons & Maxim, who have
thought Of taking a large interest In the plant
and OF establishing at Newport News. in con-
necton with the shipyard. very extensive plant
for the manufacture of guns. If these negotia-
tions should be carried to a conclusion. there
would be established at Newport News a new
industry, which would greatly benefit that city.
furnishing work and support to thousands Of
people more. But the yard would continue to be
an American enterprise. as do not propose to
sell my holdings outright. but to retain a large
n I u-,l NH n
cares and responsibilities and let others take up
and carry on the work that | have We'll start
ed Mr.. Crosley. Mr. Dunn and Mr.. Loewe
over from England TO look about, and
while here examined my shipyard most thor
oughly. | learn that they express themselves as
much pleased with 1t, and / do not how II
could have been otherwise. for not only is New
port News the best location for great shipyard
interest. but the Newport News plant is one of
the best shlpbuiiding yards in the whole world
Would the proposed gun plant be a separate
orEanization?'
Not at all" said Mr.. Huntingdon "it would
be conducted as q part of the general business
have wanted these people to take a large in
terest because l was anxious to see A great gun
manufacturing establishment put up al New
port News. and my impression is that my Eng
lish friends Will find It greatly TO their Interest
10 complete the negotiations. / think, too, that
1t will be good thing for our Government, also
Vickers' Sons & Maxim known over the
whole world for their skill and success in max
ing great ships and all sizes Of guns. Their eX-
perience would be invaluable at Newport News,
and they would hnd there advantages which
60 not believe can be had anywhere else 10 the
same extent. The material necessary Tor the
manufacture Of guns-fuel and iron-are close
at hand. 1t were. and probably more pleati-
ful and better in quality than can be found
In any other country in the world. There Il no
better labor than the negro labor Of old VIZ
eln.A, particularly the labor which can be OBJ
tanned at Newport News and In that vicinity.
As for the shipbUilding part Of the proposition,
! believe We have now at the head of our various
departments as good. as practical and as sue
Ccssful shipbuiiders as there are in this or any
other country. If this new element should come
into the ownership. they will have nothing 10 do
In the way Of increasing the capacity and faclh-
ties OF the Newport News shipyard. as what has
been done and what Is under way Will pro-
vide the yard with the most complete equipment
for heavy and rapid work that could be devised.
What Is being done at the yard IN the way OF
imprOvement?'
I'VE have started our new drydock, and the
work is advancing finely. We have already
driven, | believe, something like ten thousand
piles. and are excavating the ground rapidly
There IS quite a hole 10 be dug ss you can un-
derstand when you consider that the dock IS 10
be 500 feet long. with gate Of 100 feet ana
with 80 feet Of water over the sill. The guam
tity Of earth which has got 10 be removed 10
make this hole IS something stupendous, OUT
expect 70 nave II n0lSNtu WITHOUT any I'M
portant delays Of any kind The granite neces-
sary in the construction Of the new drydock IS
now being cut. We extending one Of The
piers and putting up large beam shed ana n
mill for the manufacture OF the nunberless
brass appliances which must be used in Shlps,
particularly in Government vessels. We are
also putting in q number of new shipways. with
the necessary travelling-cranes over them FOR
the transportation Of the heavy metal which
must he carried 10 all parts Of a great modern
vessel"
These gentlemen who visited the yard are o.
course connected with the Nickers' Sons q
Maxim"
Yes Mr. Crosey is a man of large means
and great experience IN the building of shlps.
He has held a most vital and responsible pace
In the shipbuiliing Industry Of England Mr..
Dunn probably stands at the very head Of naVal
EXPERTS having been Chief Constructor or the
British Admiralty, and | am Informed mat IN
the interest OF his Government he has personally
insnected All Of the battle-ships which have been
huit for the British Navy during the last thirty
yars II their firm should conclude 70 take
hold OF this establishment which have carried
so far along at Newport News. Il hardly needs
nv assurance that the business or the future
which will be done there In the way or manu-
facturine ships and guns VIII be on the largest
ord mos. complete scale. for that is the way
ina. the Vickers' Sons Maxim are accustomed
TO do work
ACTION on WILMINGTON TROUBLE.