The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-07
EQ|IPP|NG THE NAVY
Chief of the Bureau Tells How
the Thing Was Done.
LESSONS OF THE WAR.
Danger and the Extra Cost of,
Being Caught Unprepared.

emergency created by the war Is con-
tanned in the annual report of Captain P
P. Bradford, chief of the bureau of equip
ment, navy department. Secretary Long
in his report mas made some brief refer
ence to the workings of the bureau, in
complimentary manner. and Captain
Bradford's report furnishes the details
of the operations of that important bu-
reau.
He says it is too early to place on record
for future guidance the entire expert
ence of the bureau during the war. but
it is proposed 70 do this at some future
time. The report goes on to say that the
demands upon the bureau and its subordi-
nate branches-the naval observatory,
the photographic office, compass division,
nautical almanac and electrical appliances
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by the war were very
great.
THE SCRAMBLE FOR COAL.
This was especially so with reference
to the coal supply Of the feet. When
war threatened, the bureau made every
possible effort to procure coaling stations
near the scene of its probable location,
directing special efforts. without success.
however to the passages about the An
TILES. There was only one coal shed at
Key West and one lighter, but event
ually all the available space there was
covered with sheds with a storage capac-
ity of 1900 tons. No other place near
the scene of war was available. AS a
preparation for war the bureau had asked
for and obtained many tenders for the
transportation and supply of coal. When
the crucial moment came, with the excep-
ton Of a single Baltimore firm, all de-
clined to adhere to their offers on &C
count of war risks. The Baltimore con-
Germ had a few schooners The depart
ment was in desperate straits and the
alternative was TO purchase ships and
arm and man them as transports.
THE SHIPOWNERS' HOLDUP.
There were but few vessels in this coun-
try suitable for the transportation of coal
and Immediately available. When these
were found, their owners knew well the
necessities of the government and gen.
orally demanded exorbitant prices. What
ever the cost, says Captain Bradford, the
government could least of all afford de-
lay, so five Golfers were purchased rang
ing in price from $4,000 for the Sterling
TO $342 900 for the Merrimac. The first
great emergency having passed and the
squadron being relieved, additional col
liers. mostly foreign vessels, were pur-
chased at fair prices and eventually the
bureau possessed an official armed COL
lier fleet, with a carrying capacity of
10000 TONS for use in tse Atlantic.
Without these vessels it would have
been impossible to carry on the opera
tions brought to successful issue by
the fleet. The monitors were especially
helpeN with their small steam radium
without the help of Golfers. The assist
ance rendered by the Merrimac is his
toric.
THE SUPPLY ALWAYS AMPLE.
Captain Bradford says. with pardonable
pride. that with the exception of a sin
gle telegram from the commander in
chief, urging that a particular kind of
coal only be supplied 10 the fleet, not
a single request or communication con-
corning an adequate coal supply was re-
ceived from any snip afioat during the
entire war, evidence that an abundant
supply was always available. At one
time there VS. afioat. in steam golfers at
y
notice to any point desired, 10000 tons
of the best coal.
WATER, AS WE'LL AS COAL.
One lesson of the war which will be of
use 10 every navy in the world. the re-
port continues. was a demonstration that
in future fresh water for boilers must be
abundantly supplied to the feet in trans
ports, just as coal is carried. With the
exception of the Oregon the distilling
plants aboard our warsslips. which were
supposed to be sufficient to supply the
loss in evaporation to the boilers. proved
to be inadequate. owing chiefly to leaky
steam pipes. 1t was more difficult to
supply fresh water to ships al 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. During the
war the bureau paid at one time 81 Os7. 80
for 422.090 gallons OF fresh water at Tomp-
kinsville. y. Y, for the ST. Paul and pro
rata for other ships. Had this water been
drawn from the Brooklyn mains and
transported TO the ship in water boats
it would have cost only S4S25 To remedy
this evil the bureau : procuring a water
barge for each naval station and Is erect
ing distiiing plants where necessary. L
has also procured tank ship 10 carry
water IN bulk
GOT THE COAL CHEAP ENOUGH.
The equipment bureau bought nearly
nalf a million tons Of coal during the
year a. the rate Of &.6S per ton. The
year before only 1sSSlS tons were bought.
az a cost Of S4.75 per ton Use coal.
brought aboard. am tons, cost .SSI2 per
ton. The increased cost Of coal abosr,.
was due to serious and prolonged strikes
of coal miners and threatened war De-
tween foreign nations. BY Watching tho
markets and making close contracts the
bureau was able 20 keep the cost down
10 A minimum and at a price believed
- oe remarkable IN view Of the condi.
tions.
ELECTRICIANS NEEDED.
Captain Bradford regards with much
concern the constantly increasing de-
mands Tor repairs and renewals for cleo
trical outfits and supplies O. ships. With
the notable exceptions Of Dewey's fleet
and the Oregon. the experience Of our
warshlps would seem 10 indicate taat
they cannot Ions De seq sustaining
without deck yard and electrical work
The number OF officers who are familiar
win electrical engineering seems 70 oe
decreasing rathen than increasing. prob
ably owing 10 the closing OF the torpedo
school. where a course on electricity was
taught. In the meantime electrical ap-
paratus on ship5oari has mul,sp.ied many
fold and Become. Ike III other accessories
% man Of war. much more complex. 7
Is earnestly recommended that q special