New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-15
The Horse Show
bringing so many women to-
gether, creates great demand
for Lundborg's Vio-Violet.
FOR BETTER MONITORS.
MODIFIED PLAN ADOPTED BY THE
BOARD OF CONSTRUCTION.
SECRETARY LONG WILL. ASK CONTRACTORS To-
DAY FOR An ESTIMATE OF THE IN
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuyE.l


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
Washington. Nov l4-Secretary Long to-mor-
row Will send a letter to each Of the four firms
that secured contracts last month TO build the
single-turret monitors. asking them 10 estimate
the increased cost Of improved vessels on modl-
fled lines adopted by the Board Of Construc-
ton a. its session to-day In the mean time
under directions from the Department. WORK
will not be begun the Arkansas. the Con
nccticut the Florida and the Wyoming until
the new estimates are received and considered
by the authorities.
Before the contracts for these vessels were
signed. as early as October a. The Tribune
called attention to the fact that the aggregate
OF the bids for the four monitors was only
$500 900. leaving a surplus Of more than
81. 100000 out OF the S50OOOo0 appropriated 70
build hrst-class vessels. Figures prepared by
naval experts were presented at that time
showing that II was entirely feasible by the
application OF this surplus before the contracts
were made 10 add another turret and double
the coal supply Of these monitors making them
larger and better than the Monterey and the
Monadnock. which had just been sent across
the Pacific to hold Manila, and 20 secure yes
sells ~ three times the coal capacity OF 'he
Amphitrite the Miantonomoh and the Terror
and far superior 10 them in formidabiliiy ana
value as warships. The legal authorizes "'
the Navy Department. however decided u
later appeared. on insufficient CONSIDERATIONS
that the contracts must be awarded Tor '"'
vessels as originally designed, although fnon''
earlier through the efforts ~ The Tribune TWO
knots had been added 10 the speed or the ne"
battle-shps by method dentca! with 'ha'
proposed for the monitors.
soon after the contracts were executed the
iTnrg
would be unwse 10 build the vessels according
~ the original plans. and one OF the contractors
came 10 Washington and showed that H. couii
easily increase his vessel - the dimensions
suggested in The Tribune without exceeding the
original Augmentation by Congress. lie pro-
nosad simply TO lergthen the vessels ana auu
another turret reducing the calbre or the guns
from l. inches 10 10 inches. He showed '"".
the new 1O-inch rifles. with larger charges "i
smokeless powder. would be much more power
full than the 12-nch guns Of $500 design ""i'h
II had been proposed 70 put into the orlslna'
vessel. and his project met with such favor tha'
the supposed legal objection to building better
ships with the money in hand quickly dlsaP-
peared. Secretary Long thereupon directed the
builders TO delay beginning the ships ana re-
ferred the whole question once more 20 the
BOARD on Construction. at the same time an
! nOlDClnG
ships that could be secured at all events.
The modified plan adopted by the Board on
Construction to-day calls for vessels OF 4.V'o
tons instead Of 300 tons. with coal capacity
OF 400 tons instead Of 200 tons, giving a range
/ OF action exceeding 1900 knots at lO-knot speed.
which equals that Of the seagOing battle-ship
Iowa Two turrets with twin 1O-inch guns. re-
place thu single Pinch turret The Original
speed Of l. knots Is retained compelling en-
fl.v hftrE ono EEtar
Of > 400. The hull has been materially length
ened and broadened. and the draught has been
/ increased from 70 feet q inches 10 II feet y
| inches In the new design the protective deck
is ~ inches thick instead OF liz inches. and The
interior bracing OF the vessel is made slightly
heavier and stronger.
The estimated cost of the armor FOR the Origi-
this will be increased to SlS16OO for the larger
vessel and this fact, together with the other
added weights which were deemed essential
TO the improved monitors. may compel the De-
partment to ask Congress to remove the IN
precedented restriction which was made in the
apprOpriatiOn for these vessels Up 10 this time
the appropriation bills for all warships hate
provided a limit for the hull. engines and boil
ers exclusive Of armor and armament. but the
act of MAY 4 1895. providing for four haihoI-
defence vessels stipulated that they should cost
/ exclusive OF armament. not exceeding $l.-p'lVT'
/ each" although In the same act provision was
/ made for battle-ships ito cost. exclusive ~
/ arrnor and armament. not exceeding &,VpDODp
/ II Is believed that the exception in the case or
the monitors was due 10 a clerical error. but
/ in any event IL occurs in the law and cannot
/ De evaded.
/ the amount of their bids. are as follows: The
Arkansas Newport News Company. S>tov"'
/ the Connecticut Bath Iron Works, $N6-VD, the
/ Florida Lewis Nixon, $S2jODr; the Wyoming
/ Union Iron Works. SsI3.Ov