The record-union., 1899-10-16
Points Out the Importance Of Continuing
the Work Of improvement.
Recommends the Establishment of
a Plant at Algiers, Louisiana
Marine Railways a Necessary
Adjunct for the Economical
Handling of Torpedo Boats at
the Navy Yards.

WASHINGTON, Oct 15.-In his an
nual report to the Secretary of the
! Navy Chief Constructor Hichborn lays
spcial stress upon the Importance OF
continuing the work of improving the
plants at the various navy yards, in
v1ting particular attention to those at
Boston and League Island. A plant is
also recommended at Algiers, La. as
without it the dock will be worthless
when completed.
/ Under the head of dry docks, the re-
port points out that the present build
| ing program does not affect the two
most important navy yards, viz: New
York and Norfolk, at which a new
/ dock of the largest size is urgently
needed, in view of the rapid increase of
the number of battleships in commits
sion.
Marine railways also are said to be
necessary for the economical handling
of torpedo boats, and two such are rec
commended at New York and one each
/ at Portsmouth, League Island, Nor
folk, Port Royal and Mare Island.
Under the head of new construction,
the report sets out the fact that con-
tracts for the more important ships au-
thorized by the last Congress could not
be let, because of the limitation placed
upon the cost of the armor. Neverthe-
less, complete specifications for these
vessels have been prepared, and are in
cluded in the report. Work on the de-
sign for gunboat IS, to replace the
Michigan, has been suspended, pending
definition of the characteristics that
will be permitted under the treaty with
Great Britain.
Fourteen vessels, with the exception
of the Chesapeake and Princeton tor
pedo boats or tugs, were added to the
navy during the last fiscal year; four
Spanish vessels sunk during the war
were raised and added, and seventeen
small gunboats were purchased or cap
tured on the Asiatic station, and placed
on the list On the other hand, forty
one vessels We're dropped from the
naval list, including the American line
chartered ships, a number of auxiliary
Solo, the revenue cutters and lighthouse
vessels turned back into their old SER
vice and a couple of monitors. On July
1st there were building for the navy
fort-eight new vessels in addition 10
those enumerated.
In view of the delay encountered in
securing armor for the new ships at
satisfactory prices, the chief construc-
tor feels that the time is opportune to
renew his recommendation that the de-
partment contract with the ship
builder for the ship complete with
armor, instead of making separate con-
tracts for the latter.
Some of the lessons of the war re-
ferred to in the report is the import
ance of sheathing ships, as we'll as re-
stricting the use of combustible ma
terial upon them, and of fireproofng
such material as must be used.
The severe tests applied by the war
to our ships under trying conditions of
climate resulted satisfactorily. and lit
tie modification of new designs has
been found necessary.
The extended use of electricity as an
auxiliary is recommended, and the bu-
reau is making great progress in this
direction. The present strength of the
corps of naval constructors is said to
be entirely insufficient and consider
able increase is suggested. including an
assistant Chief of the Bureau.
The report closes with detailed state
ments from the constructors in charge
of the various navy yards of the work
performed and the plant necessary.