The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-23
oUR NArAL STRENGTH IN 1909.
Twice MS Many Vessels in tho Navy rs Mt
Any other Period Since the Civil War.

Twice MS Many Vessels in tho Navy rs at
Any other Period Since the Civil War.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 22.-Some interesting
facts are given in the new Naval Register.
which is now nearly ready for distribution,
! concerning the present strength Of the service
afloat rs well as the extent Of the building pro-
grammc being carried out. The list OF vessels
shows that the navy contains twice as many us
at any other period since the civil war. which
closed with G23 on the rolls. There are not so
many now, including all clnsses. ms there were
then. but for fighting efficiency tho fleets are
unquestionably superior to what they ever
were before in the history OF this country.
The building list shows also that never before
have so many ships been under construction at
once; but this is to be accounted for by tho
liberality Of Congress last summer In authoriz-
ing so large q number OF destroyers and tor
pedo boats.
The new REGISTER changes the classification
OF some vessels. 1t shows that at present there
are more colliers and steamers on special service
than there were vessels OF all types in the navy
ten years ago. or the flrst-rate there nre eleven
ships. including four lrst-class battleships
one second-clnss battleship. the Texas: two
armored cruisers, the Brooklyn and New York
two protected cruisers. the flyers Columbia
and Minneapolis; the double-turret monitor
Puritan, which Is ranke for fighting ability
with the Texas, and the flagship Olympia. with
Admiral Dewey's command. which brings up
the tail end OF flrst-rate vessels. or the
second-rate there are eighteen. to which
has been added in the last year the Chi
cago. the largest and most formidable
of her class. Next to the Chicago are
the Baltimore and Philadelphia. and then
come in order OF efficiency. according to the
Register. the double-turret monitor Monterey.
known as Black betsy. the protected cruisers
Newark. San Francisco, and Charleston. all
above 1000 tons displacement except the last:
the double-turret monitors Miantonomoh. Am
phitrite. Monadnock. and Terror. the protected
cruisers New Orleans and Albany. both ac-
quired for the war. and the Lancaster. Cincln-
natl, Raleigh. Atlanta. and Boston, the Ian
caster being the only wooden vessel In the
list and one Of the remnants OF the
old navy. VIII third rate vessels show an in
crease over last year. there being now forty
two. including the old monitors. which come
under this classification. Vessels Of the De-
troit and Marblehead type are of the third rate.
The old Hartford. FarraRut's flagship at Mo-
bile. heads the list with 00tons more displace-
ment than the Mayflower, bought during the
war period. Third rate vessels include all be-
tween 300 tons and 1000 tons displace-
ment. or the fourth rate there are
only six. with the dynamite-hurler Vesu-
vius at tho head. the Petrol next and
the old Pinta at the bottom. All vessels
Of this rate are new ships except two. Rated
behind these vessels are thirty-seven torpedo
boats. the majority of which are nearly COM
pleted. and next are twelve navy yard tugs. six
old sailing ships. including the Constellation
and Jamestown, six receiving ships. and fifteen
vessels classed as unserviceable. three-fourths
OF which have been assigned to State militia
organizations for practice drills.
The pending building programme presents
the largest array Of vessels under construction
known since the new navy was undertaken.
There are eight flrst-class battleships under
construction, all more powerful than those now
in service; one submarine torpedo boat, four
monitors. sixteen destroyers. a sailing ship
and n gunboat. besides a number Of tugs.
Forty-flve cruisers and yachts. all of which
practically were purchased for the war and are
retained for service. are shown to be also a
part OF the navy. These include such YES
sells as the Buffalo. Yankee. Badger. Glouces-
ter. Eagle. Hist. Panther and Hornet. The
number OF GOLFERS and steamers for special
service is greater than the number OF vessels
of the first and second rate. There are thirty
one of these. the majority of which are In &c
tive service. Three-fourths are to be retained
by the navy. Every ship of this class was pur-
chased for the war.
The Register will show that. leaving out the
North Atlantic station. Admiral Dewey has
more vessels attached to his command than
there are on all other duties combined. The
Asiatic station is larger now than the home
fleet was two years ago.