Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-26
NEWPORT NEWS.
Secretary Long Favors Naming a
Warship Virginia.
He Is c"nndcnt tho President VIII
Consider my Suggestion Made to
Him In tho NIn,ter : fine 10
Strike.
Especial to virginian-pllot.)


Newport News, Va, Nov 25.-If the
peopie of Virginia make proper repre-
aentation to President Mckinley and
Secretary OF the Navy Long, it is be-
lieved that one OF the big armore,i
cruisers which will be recommended to
Congress ut its next session by the
Navy Department, will be named after
this State.
Three of these cruisers, displacing
several thousand tons more than any
ship in the United States navy to-day,
will he recommended for construction
by Secretary Long. and it is reasonably
certain that ii one of these splendid
vessels les named Virginia it will be
built in Virginia Mt the great yard OF
the Newport News Shipbuiding and
Dry Dock Company.
Over his OWN signature TO the Even
ing Telegram. Secretary Long says he
has always felt that one of the larger
ships of the navy should he called after
Virginia. and while he does not suggest
-affaa..iil.: tAat tha A-i-s.inia -nan,,ln- he
fore the President with this end in
view, he says he is sure aIr. Mckinley
would gladly consider such n PROPOSE
ton, and intimates that it would be a
good thing.
Secretary Longs letter follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Nov. 90. 1899.
Editor Evening Telegram.
Newport News. Va:
My Dear Sir,-I have your letter, and
am very happy to give you the infor-
nation which you desire. The names
solicited with, fbn pnrov.lI IF tho Droc
ident, for the three battleships and
three cruisers authorized at the last
Congress are Pennsylvania, New Jer-
sey, Georgia, West Virginia, Nebraska
and California.
The department will recommend to
Congress at its next session the con-
struction OF three large armored cruis-
ers which. perhaps, will bear the
names OF States, although shall have
to look at the law before determining
that question.
have always felt that one of our
larger ships should be named for the
State of Virginia, on account of its
very prominent place In the history OF
:he country and the fact that 1t is
not only the Mother of Presidents"
but certainly one of the most dis
tinguished of the original thirteen.
] cannot advise YOU as to the best
course. except l feel confident the
President would very gladly consider
any suggestion that were made to
him in the matter.
Very truly yours
JOHN d. LONG Secretary
Now Is the time for Virginians to
act. Congress will not authorize any
hattleships at the coming session, but
it will, If Secretary Longs rccOmmen-
dalton Is approved, pass an approprl-
alton for the construction of three
armored cruisers which will be equal,
II not superior to the arnored cruisers
of any of the worlds navies.
1t is the intention of the Navy De-
partment to build these crack. war
ships with a displacement of 1880 or
$4,000 tons. 1t will be seen. then, that
these ships will be larger than any
OF the battleships building for Uncle
sam and will be as large as the new
battleships for which bids will be in
vited as soon as Congress makes
some satisfactory arrangement for
their armor. The speed Of the new
cruisers will be about % knots and
their normal coal supply will be 1000
tons, which Will give them great
steam!ng radius.