The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1899-10-20
OUR NAVY YARDS
Marine Railways Are Necessary foe
the Handling Of Torpedo Boats
Number Of Vessels Added TO the Navy the
Past Yssr-Extsndsd Use Of Electric
ny on War Vessel. as na Aug
Hilary L. Recommended

WAsHISoroS, Oct 10. In his annual
report to the secretary OF the navy,
Chief Constructor Hichborn lays spe-
ciai stress upon the Importance Of
continuing the work of improving the
plants at the various navy yards, in-
viting particular attention to those ut
Boston and League Island. "A plant
IL also recommended at Algiers, La. as
without IL the me- dock will be worth
less when completed.
Under the head OF dry docks the re-
port points out that the present build
ing programme does not affect the two
most important navy yards, viz New
York and Norfolk, ut which new
dock Of the largest size Is urgently
needed In view OF the rapid increase OF
eattleships in commission. Marine
railways also are said to be necessary
for the economical handling OF tor.
pedo boats, and two such are recon-
mendcd at New York and one each n:
Portsmouth. League Island, Norfolk,
Fort Royal and Mare Island.
Under the head of new construction
the report sets out the fact that con.
tracts for the more important ships
authorized 10y the last congress could
not bc let because OF the limitation
nlaced upon the cost OF the armor.
Nevertheless complete speci acaiions
for these vessels have been prepared
and are included In the report. Work
on the design for gunboat 10 to re-
place the Michigan has been sus-
pended. pending definition of the char
aeicrlstics that vii, be permitted un-
der the treaty with Great Britain.
Fourteen vessels, with the exception
OF the Chesapeake aud 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 IL small
gun6oats were purchased or captured
on the AsiNlic statioa aud placed on
the list. On the other hand Al vessels
were dropped FROM the naval list, In.
Guiding the American line chartered
ships. number OF auxiliary vessels
sold, abe revenue cutters and light
house vessels turned back into their
old service. and a couple of monitors
Ou July l there were building for the
navy ~ new vossols, in addition to
those enumerated.
la view Of the delay encountered In
securing armor for the new saips at
satisfactory prices the chief construct.
or feels that the time IL oppof;u1e 10
renew his recommendation that the
department contract with the ship
builder for the ship complete with ar,
NOR, instead OF making separate con.
tracts for the latter
Some OF the lesson, OF the wAy re-
fcrrcd TO In the report is the import.
rnce of sheath,ng ships as we'll as
restricting the use of combustible |
material upon them, and OF FIRE |
prooing such material as must be
used. The severe tests applied by |
tho war To our ships under try
Tag conditions OF climate resulted
satisfactorily and li.tlc mod lcation OF
new designs has been found necessary.
The extended use OF electricity as an
auxiliary Il recommended and the
bureau is making great progress in
this direction. The present strength
OF the corps of naval constructors is
sad to be entirely insufficient and a
increase is suggested. in.
Guiding an assistant chief OF the bu.
reEu.
The rcpor, closes with detailed state.
ments from the constructors in charge
OF the various navy yards of the work
performed and the plant necessary.