New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-21
UNIFORMITY ~ WARSHIP DFSIGN

The reported decision Of the Board OF Con
siruction. dividing among number OF Didhers
the contracts for the new torpedo-boais ana
torpedo boat destroyers, may be both Denenciai
and the reverse. Fifteen years ago under II
Republican Secretary Of the Navy. was begun
the movement which has resulted not only in
raising the United States as naval Power
from the twentieth place 10 the sixth place
among nations. bur has given us as well yes
sells which have met the shock of batile in a
manner that has challenged the admiration or
the world The laws which created this fleet
have always stipulated that all materials for
National vessels should be. with trlhing excep-
lions Of domestic manufacture. As result.
we find to-day distributed through wide
range Of our territory great establishments
fitted 10 produce the structural steel the arinor
and the machinery required. and having the
skill necessary TO assemble these into the fin
ished vessel OF war while other domestic fac
tories furnish gun forgings. completed guns.
projectiles and all necessary equipment. MOI
the least Of the National benefits from the fleets
rebuilding. then has been the resultant dcvcl-
opment OF American Industries in varied and
hitherto alien lines. and this new growth has
been fostered TO the utmost by the distribution
among rs many builders and manufacturers
rs possible Of the orders for our baiileships and
cruisers
With regard to tho proposed torpedo-bo
and destroyers. II would seem that once again
our builders are asked 10 enter fields rs yet
uptroddeu in this country. These vessels are
special and delicate mechansms. differing radi-
collv from larger naval constructions in the
extreme speed required on limited dlsplace-
w liffip urpyiDls
experience are asked 10 advance at bound
10 the front rank-to equal or surpnss any
work Of this character done hitherto abroad.
In this there would seem TO be full warrant for
the same fostering policy. the same wide dis
tribution Of the proposed boats. as has pre-
vailed with the larger vessels of tho fleet
II Is however on these grounds only that
this policy can he supported. There IS against
Il every other argument which bears on cheap
ness and uniformity OF construction and on
efficiency and repair In service. IL this little
squadron were to be built for private hands
n great steamship company. for instance the
work would all be given 70 one contractor. who.
IN consequence. would be able 10 bid lower the
machinery would be built from templets and
gauges and would he Interchangeable, making
one stock Of repair parts serve for all: and
throughout there would be an absolutely identl-
cal plan Of valves. piping and mechanism. so
that crew familiar with one boat could Al
n moments notice handle another. In place Of
this businesslike arrangement we shall have
boats which are similar, but not the same;
whose machinery will not be Interchangeable,
since. even from the same drawing hut without
the same gauges. the six riches ~ one machine
shop are not the six inches Of another There
NAV be also introduced In the various boats
variations in design. that n crew shifted
from n disabled craft 10 another Will need to
learn the details Of the new machinery. The
engineers Ideal feet Is one In which the ships
of each class shall be duplicates one Of an
other. Our proposed torpedo squadron falls
short Of this ideal