The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-15
STRENGTHENING THE NAVY.
Proposed to Construct Eighteen New
Warships.

Warships.
New York, Nov. IA special to the
Tribune from Washington says: The
project for further naval increases
which congress will be asked TO su-
thorize at the next session for jp ne
date construction involves is war
ships, three of them armorad c1u.s ers
OF the improved Brooklyn tyoe, but
double the size and forml1aalanass IF
that vessel; three improved Olympias,
one-th1rd larger and proportionately
more powerful than the fine flagship
that led the way into Manila Day, and
IL boats OF a type recommended by Adj
miral Dewey as essential for the eff
fective patrol of the Philiopiae areni
pelago. The latter class mus. he anle
to go out TO Manila under their own
steam, must draw less water shan
any gunboat now in the navy, must
maneuver ably in tortuous II 9nntls
and above all. must have sufficient
protection to resist capture if strand
ed. Such vessels are intended to le-
place the smaller gunboats which, in
several instances, have proved unable
to take care of themselves when at
tackled in force, although frequently
demonstrating their ability in the pre-
vention of illicit traffic between the
islands, carried on by small native
craft. ,..s N, WI N. ..a-.-. .=+.4
This is the programme now under
consideration by the navy boa,d Of
construction WHICH was decided by
Secretary Long several weeks ago to
study the needs Of the navy and 10
submit recommendations for required
additions to the fleet. At the meeting
of the board to-day the members were
g disposed to divide the gunhoa:s equal
~ into two classes, one OF 1000 tons,
about the displace.n, 1T Of the Wheel
Ing and the Marietta, ana the other
of 800 tons, which win make them
smaller than any of the steel vessels
in the regular navy. although larger
than the Gloucester and o.he" convert
ed yacht gunboats. For both these
classes of gunboats maximum draughts
of eight feet is regarded as imperative,
which is nearly four fee. less than that
of the Helena and she Wilmington,
which were designed particularly 70"
river service and which up to this time
are the highest dralght vessels in tile
service.
The proposed improved olympias
represent type mat was recon-
mended to congress last year. hut
which was crowded out by the author
ization of three ba.tlesnips. three large
armored cruisers and six cruisers of
$500 TONS The new cruisers are to he
Of 5000 tons each ana are TO have the
W" tulleI anu DttLse.'y arrangement,
which has proved so admirable an ar
rangement in the Olympia, The extra
1000 tons being devoted y !ncrf al ed
coal carrying capacity and engine
space and radius of action and heav-
Ter guns.
The board has shown some hesitancy
about recommending further increase
OF armored vessels at the present time,
as six higher powered and larger ar
mored vessels than have yet been built
Tor the navy were authorized by the
iast congress and have not yet been
designed and because 10000 tons of
armor are required for vessels already
USED, an amount which can scarcely be
dellVefed IN less than four years after
It's manufacture begins. The necessity
OF more frst class armored cruisers is,
however, fully recognized and the
BOARD to-day favored three of about
lo,ooo tons displacement of type in
VolVing no marked departures from
the Brooklyn in arrangement, though
OF double that vessels power and tom
mage and defensive qualities. At least
one OF the members favored more for
mldaole vessels, combining the salient
FEATURES of the best cruisers and bat
tleshlps abroad, which is described as
the Terrible, Horrible, Damnable,
class, and this will have further con
sideration Tomorrow. Every member
of the board was emphatic for sheath
ing and coppering all these vessels to
render them comparatively indenend.
ent of drydocks.