The times., 1899-12-04
Secretary Long Submits His Annual
Report to the President.
Armored md Protected
Cruisers and Gunboats strongly
Technical Trimming Badly Need
ed - barracks for Enlisted Men.

mends that Congress enact special legis-
lation in order that armor may be pro-
vided for ships under contract; that officers
promoted for services during the war with
Spain be carried as additional to the num-
bers in each grade to which they have been
promoted. that the bureaus of construction
and repair, steam engineering, and equip
ment be consolidated under one head; that
a large appropriation be made for coaling
stations; that barracks for enlisted men
be provided, and that stone dry docks re-
place wooden docks.
The following figures are given regarding
expenses, estimates, and appropriations:
Appropriations for fiscal year 1899. $780,
576. 1851: amounts expended, S39, 045.
1881: balance. June 80, 1899. $41,531,-
313.1o; estimates for 1901, $T4.230. .309. Is;
increase of 1901 over amount appropriated
for 1900, $99. 407, ,269.47.
There was built for the Navy during the
past year five torpedo boats, one battle
ship. two tugs, and one practice ship.
There We're recovered from the Spanish
fleets sunk during the late war. three gun
beats and cruiser. Fifteen gunboats and
three tugs were added by purchase. Four
battleships should be finished early next
year and one in October. The three others
ulucE ND4oNE AEAiDH SAOulu Dt d dsdsieiDACt OAAS
in 1901 and the ether two early in 1902
The cruiser Albany, now building in Eng
land, and most of the thirty three torpedo
craft. should be available during the COM
ing year, and The four monitors in 1901.
Forty-two vessels were dropped from the
Navy. being either returned to their own
ers. OF put cut CT commission.
Engineer Officers Needed.
Engineer officers of the highest technical
training are badly needed for superintend-
ing construction and supervising the motive
power Of the large ships. The United States
is the only great country without barracks
for housing and training seamen, and ST.
SEQ 900 is asked for that purpose.
On the subject Of coaling stations the
report says:
The rules OF international law permit
a belIigerent ship to take on board in a
neutral port only sufficient coal 10 enable
her TO reach her nearest home port. If
fleets are to be maintained. therefore, in
time of war. it is necessary that provision
should be made for furnishing adequate
supplies of coal wherever hostile opera
tious may occur, and this can only be done
by establishing coal depots throughout the
world and acquiring sovereign rights 10 the
property On which they are located. Under
modern conditions coal is the very life of
the ship. and without H. no matter what
her power or efficiency in other respects,
she is utterly helpless
A larger and improved naval gun factory
is needed, and more land is desired; also
the erection of additional shops. The T.
inch gun viii probably succeed the 13-inch,
having been found more effective; new
I4-pounder. 50-calibre gun has also beer
4 mo
powder factory is approaching completion,
and all new ships will be provided with
smokeless powder. The Navy in future
viii use the 30-calibre small arm and the
same cartridge as the Army.
New vessels Asked.
OF the vessels of the new Navy. the
following are needed:
Three armored cruisers, OF about 49, 900
tons trial displacement, of a maximum
draft at deep load not to exceed twenty
six feet, carrying the heaviest armOr and
most powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class. to be sheathed and coppered. and to
have The highest practicable speed and
great radius Of action
Twelve gunboats. OF about 900 tons trial
displacement, 10 be sheathed and cOppered.
And. as recommended a year ago, three
protected cruisers of about 5000 tons trial
displacement, carrying the most powerful
ordnance for vessels Of their class, to be
sheathed and coppered, and to have the
highest practicable speed and great radius
Of action
The increase in the tonnage of the last
three named vessels from 5000 tons as
recommended a year ago, to 5000 tons is
suggested by the naval board on con-
structi0n as better adapted to the present
needs Of the service The same board are
siso Of the opinion that IL any of the fore
going vessels are authorized the law
should provide that in case satisfactory
bids cannot be obtained for their con
ztruction by contract the department shall
have authority 20 construct the same in the
navy yards
Consolidation of Bureaus.
As much friction has arisen in the past
between several Of the bureaus the follow
ing recommendation is Of interest:
In the opinion of the department it
would be in the interest Of good business
organization and economy 10 consolidate
The three bureaus OF construction and re-
pair, steam engineering, and equipment
under one head. These bureaus have to
DO with the construction and fitting out
Of vessels: in one word. the material Of
the snip. II is an integral work When
a contract is made for the construction Of
a ship, IL is made with one builder Il
IS not given part TO a constructor OF hulls
part TO 4 steam engine manufacturer. and
part 10 an Quitting firm. Whatever vari-
Gus trades enter into the work are all
under one head. This is the method Of
private shipyards which build the largest
ships and which are not left 10 the admin
istTaticn Of three heads between whom
delicate questions Of respective authority
and responsibility are liable to arise. re-
sulung in delays and too often in friction
and lack Of harmony of CO operation"
Arrnor for HattIeships.
The question Of providing armur for new
battieships IS serious one. The report
says:
lne most Important question pertaining
10 naval construction at the present time
ana one That demands prompt attention
is that Of the armCr for vessels now
building. and for others authorized bur nor
yet contracted for on account of the pro
vision in the act Of March g. 1899. prohibit
ing the department from contracting for
the vessels therein authorized until CON
tract has been made for the armor there
for within $500 a ton. The price fixed is
one for which even inferior armor cannot
be Obtained. and the department has there
fore been unable TO invite proposals for the
three baJtleships and the three armored
cruisers authorized by the act of March 8,
1899.
There remain to be contracted for 1853
tons OF armor for The Maine, Ohio. and
Missouri. These vessels are now build
ing and il is imperative that their aTmor
should be contracted for early in the COM
ing year; &c delay IL beyond that time Will
IN all probability delay the completion of
the vessels beyond the contract date Of
completion. Under existing laws $400 a ton