Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-09
Topic Discussed at Length by Rear
Admiral Bradford.
IMPORTANCE OF MORE STATIONS
Ability to Garry on Hostile Opera
tons CurtaiIed.
THE TRANsPACIFIC CABLE

The urgent necessity of adequate coallns
stations for our warships is dwelt upon by
Rear Admiral Bradford, chief of the naval
bureau of equipment in his report to the
Secretary OF the Navy. He relates the dr.
fculties encountered during the war with
Spain in securing coal, transporting 1t and
getting it aboard the ships. While these
efforts were successful, the admiral says
II was due almost entirely to the near prox-
unity of the theater of to our own
coast Admiral Bradford says that United
States fleet if called upon to act at any
point across the Atlantic must encounter
even greater difficulties than were found
by Admiral Cervera.
"As matter Of fact continues Admiral
Bradford. 1T may be stated, without fear
of contradiction, that at present it would
be impossible for United States fleet to
carry active operations during a war
anywhere about the coast of Europe Afri-
ca. a large portion of Asia, and South
America, for want of coal
Expense of Equipment.
Rear Admiral Bradford reports that
S.514.OO0 was actually expended or obli-
gated IN the equipment of the navy during
the past fiscal year, and that out of APP
propriations aggregating S,3TT.947 about
81 10000 will revert to the treasury as an
unexpended ba ance. The large expendi-
lures were the natural results of the war.
Not only was there a great drain the
stores and appliances supplied by the bu-
reau during the war, but numerous and ex-
tensive repairs to all ships were necessary
after its close. Repairs to 15l different ships
were made during the year.
a total of PSI 1863 tons of coal, costing
81 $40. 51O.-I,. at an average of S5-9I per ton,
was purchased during the last fiscal year.
as against 452.551 tons. costing s2,122,W5-2s.
at an average of $4.GS per ton. during the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1888.
OF this amount S5953 tons were pur-
chased abroad. costing SAL, l35lo, at an
average of SJ.13 per ton. against I4,1Q
tons. costing 1901, SS5.53. at an average of
Ss12 per ton, during the previous fiscal
year.
There were purchased at home during the
fiscal year 1926 tons of coal, costing
81 IS 5000. at average Of $6.34 per ton,
as against BIS. 43T tons. costing S1,52o 1l9I
previous year.
The increased cost is explained by the
fact that during the fiscal year of 1898 the
greater part of the coal was transported
by government Golfers. and was. there
fore, of no cost to the bureau. During the
past fiscal year but very little coal has
been transported in this manner, and the
bureau has been obliged to charter ships
for this purpose Large amounts of coal
have been forwarded to Manila and Homo
lulu from the Atlantic coast. The cOnSump-
ton at Manila is about 1000 tons month.
The increased average cost per ton of all
coal purchased during the fiscal year is
sumed at distant points, where its cost is
much greater than at or near home ports.
During the year 55,IS9 tons of coal were
shipped to Manila. at an average cost of
s. 81 per ton. and 12.064 tons to Honolulu
at $50 per ton.
The Best Coal the Cheapest.
In the opinion of the bureau the best
coal is the cheapest. 1t IS not alone ques-
ton of knots ship make per ton of
coal; the preservation of boilers. freedom
from spontaneous combustion and the en-
durance OF the fire room force are all to be
considered in selecting the kind of coal to
Be used.
The qua ity of coal cannot be determined
by inspectIon-that is to say, it may be
apparent that ii is bad and it may be bad
without being apparent. According to Ad-
miral Bradford the only safe method to
insure supply of really good coal is to
deal with firms of high repute.
In view of the great cost of freight per
ton to Manila and the failure to secure
American vessels as carriers Admiral Brad
ford says he Is trying the experiment of
employing officers and crews 10 utilize the
steam golfers belonging TO the government
which have been land up various navy
yards since the close of the Spanish war
for the transportation Of coal to Manila. A
contract was made with a reputable Ameri-
can Shipmaster to man and victual the
United States collier Alexander for the
sum of 81. go per month. The only navy
representative on board is the pay officer
who makes all the disbursements The ves-
Sci is intended to be managed In al re-
spects as a merchant ship. She was loaded
with coal at Norfolk and dispatched to
Manila during the month of August She
mas made good progress on her journey and
the bureau awaits the result of her trip
with interest 1t Is expected that it will be
entirely successful. If she can be permitted
10 bring back a cargo OF merchandise. for
pay IN the same manner as a merchant
snip the experiment Will undoubtedly be
successful from a financial point of view
EStubiixhin. a Enuyiny stofious
IN a chapter advocating the establish
mont OF coahng stations Admiral Bradford
says:
At the breaking out Of the Spanish
american war in 1s:'S there was but one
foreign coal depot, VIZ. Honolulu, Hawaii
an Islands Here the government Dos
se>sed one dilapidated shed on rented
ground, with a capacity for 1000 tons of
Efforts were made when IT WAS fore
seen that war was inevitable to procure
coal teputs in the West Indies In this the
bureau failed. and the only remaining
1t,I"Iee was to supply the fleet
Win coal by means OF steam GOLFERS Ref
er'Hgc was made by the bureau in its re-
port OF last year TO the success of this
method Il due. however almost en-
tIrlN 10 the near proximity Of th.. thea Ter
or war /" our own coast, where supplies
or coal could be obtained. to the absence
OF Spanish cruisers. and to the early can
Iite and control Of certain ports in Cuba
In the Philippines success was also due
10 the immediate capture of the port of Ma
Mia for use as a naval base and to the
fact that ships carrying supplies Of coal
t. this port were not mues;ed by the Span
iSh navy Under ordinary circumstances of
war with a hrSt-Class maritime nation our
ships would have been much embarrassed
for want Of coal
1T is rot considered that this report is
proper place for an extended argument
IN favor Of establishing coal depOts or sta
lions. Attention. however. may here be
called TO the difficulties encountered by
Admiral Cervera in supplying his fleet with
coal As Spain had landed possessions in
u" West Indies. il may be said thai a
Htiri States fleet must. II called urOn TO
act ar any point across the Atlantic en-
counter even greater difficulties than were
FOUND by Admiral Cervera-
As a matter OF fact. il may be stated
without fear of contradiction, that at pres
tnt u would be impossible for a United
safes heet to carry active opera tons
during a war anywhere about the coast of
Europe. Africa, large portion of Asia
anu south America. for want Of coal
rms country has