The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-15
They Are Raised From the Bottom
of Manila Bay.
HOBSON MAKES REPORT
SAYS THEY WILL BE WORTH
ABOUT $4,000.
1t Cost About S3O4, 900 to Put Them
In Proper Shaps-Three More
Sunken Spanish Warships In the
Harbor, Which he Will Endeavor
to Raise.

Washington, Aug. 13.-Naval Construc-
tor Richmond p. HobsOn was heard
from by the navy department today
for the first time at any length since
he was assigned to duty in charge of
the Spanish ships. raised from Manila
harbor and now undergoing repairs at
Hongkong. His report deals in Sener-
al questions. such as the need of
large dockyard in the Orient, the IN
creasing shipping at Manila and the
prospect that Manila will succeed
Hongkong as the emporium OF the east,
the value of Chinese labor In all
branches of industry, etc He also says
the three Spanish ships which are
nearly completed will be worth TO the
government about 100000, and he con-
templates trying TO raise three more
Spanish vessels now at the bottom OF
Manila. bay. The letter is addressed
to Rear Admiral Hichborn, cher OF the
bureau of construction, and is dated
at Hongkong, July II. He says;
In compliance with the bureau s
directions. 1 enclose a special report on
the raising and repairing of the Span
ish vessels sunk in Manila BAY
The three vessels under constfuc-
ton, the Isla de Cuba. lsla dc huzoh.
and Don Juan de Austria, are about at
equal stages of completion. which
estimate to be about so per cent com
pared with the vessels fitted out ready
for sea. The batteries and electric
plant. which have not arrived. VIII
doubtless be the last items. ! estimate
the time of completion Will be ABOUT
six weeks after the arrival OF the arm
ament and electric plant.
Value of the Vessels.
IT estimate the value of these YES
sells when completed. exclusive of arm
ament, to be as follows:
'Isla de Cuba: Hull, fittings and
outfit, $4,000; machinery, sI9'Ooo; TO-
tai. s215,OOo. s,,oooo.
"Isla de LuZon: Hull, etc. Sl4O,o00;
machinery. $4,000; total, $4,000.
Don Juan de Austria: Hull, etc,
s125. 600: machinery, $4,000; total, $751;
Total estimated value of all three
vessels. 100000.
He then shows that the raising and
refitting has cost about 100000. max
ing 2. net gain to the government on
the three vessels OF S5oo'VGV- ne 1'iN
the credit for these results to Naval
Constructor Cares, wto made the con-
tracts. Mr.. Hobson speaks of the gen
eraI good condition of the vessels and
says:
This is particularly the case with the
parts that remained completely SUP
merged. Thus. large engine parts were
scarcely injured at all.
Others to Be Raised.
This feature has an important bear
ing on the wrecks still in Manila paw
which 1 expect to examine with divers
when the vessels now in hand are COM
plesed. The longer period that they
have been immersed may not nave ser
iously injured the principal parts anu
there may be similar advantage 10 the
government in further salvage, par
ticularlv as to the Don Antonio dc
IIIloa and the Velasco, sister ships TO
the Don Juan de Austria, winch. from
ali accounts, suffered less damage than
those that have been raised.
Mr.. Hobson then urges the deslra-
biIjtv of a well equipped United States
dock wards in the far east, as he says,
the cost of private work is very hlsh-
He adds:
There would be great advantage TO
the government in the establishment in
the PbiIinpines of a yard thoroughly
equipped with docks and plant capable
of doing all the work of docking and re-
nairine for the navy. The British gov
eminent is undertaking such an estab-
lishment here. though at great cost,
involv ing the making or retaining OF
a large part of the land required.
Attention SHOULD be called, however
TO the fact that the success ana au-
vantage Of such an establishment, as
indeed. the success or am. iho Gs;a lf.i
establishment in this part of the orient:
would necessitate the employment OF
Chinese labor. This labor is not onlT
unlimited in supply, but 1t is equal 10
practically all the requirements OF
modern industry