New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-22
NAVAL CONSTRUCTION.
.AfIRAI. HICHBoRNs FINAL REPORT
CONTAINS MANY RECoMMEN-
DATIONS.

o-+ as # IS the last one be submitted by Rear
Admiral Hichborn the present chief constructor,
vvbo under the operation of Jaw, will retire on
March next The period during which he has held
hs important post has greater changes in the
Navy than any other equal period in its history
and the chief constructor, about TO close career
begun as he states forty-flve years ago as a Gov
crnment apprentice employed upon the construction
NJ the MerrImac and the Hartford, alludes briefly
20 the vast transformations which the shipouilding
and allied industries have undergone in the course
OF his career. He says, after speaking OF the old
wooden sloops OF war. without protection or water
light subdivision and armed with broadsides Of
smooth bores:
How many Of those associated with the work OF
this period looking into the future wouIo nave Pc
neved that during the space representeSa by the
active career Of one man wooden ships of war and
that steel should have become the material of con-
structon steam the one pToPeiiihg 2o%er' 9 ,a
demands for protection, armament. speed and en-
bsttleships and armored cruisers Of deep dsplace-
ments Of over sixteen thousand and fifteen thousand
tons and speeds of IS and p knots? Who OF them
would have Believed that within that time the re-
sources t y t Wbe such vessels of war are to be
constructed every part going into them is American
production?
Passing brief mention Of the more important
measures with the adoption of which the Bureau
OF Construction and Repair has been identified in
Admiral Hichborns incumbency, brief mention is
made OF the work OF reconstruction Of the historic
Hartford and the efforts looking 10 the rehabilita
ton Of the renowned Constitution. The controversy
IN which the chief constructor prevented useless
expenditures Of the public money for aluminium
torpedo boats after legislative authority for such
construction had been especially sought and OBJ
tanned. his consistent advocacy Of sheathing the
inclined tUrret known at time a the Hichborn
turret. the principle Of which has been adopted his
efforts IN the direction Of reduction of wood and
the hreproofng Of such remained board ship
and the good results accomplished the encourage
ment OF submarine vessels and the important addi-
ton Of efficient vessels Of this class to the Navy
which has resulted. are touched upon, also
the effects Of the care and study devoted to the
ooDveniences and the creature comforts Of both
officers and enlisted men.
MORE DRYDOCKs NEEDED
Among his more important recommendations the
need Of additional docking facilities is particularly
emphasized. Admiral Hichborn says:
. TPe ss are y F s at the present time on the
Inent orydocks OF all sizes, distributed among
lake the battleshps The en docking faes aVaa
pc are severely taxed under existing peace condi-
OF docks already under construction and appro-
Ing need for such facilities ii the increasing mum
Der Of ships IN service and in reserve This
disparity IN docking facilities, productive of much
Inconvenience and some loss time of peace would
might result in keeping a considerable portion Of
our naval strength ine ective at critical time It
cannot be too strongly urged that the Increase in
docking and repair facilities in an adequate ratio
IN naval de1eiopment and it sboTJd be es e.ehgPS
emphasized that IN this most important matter war
always be kept in view Under the presept policV
only the increasing peace time requirements are
q notice that Great Britain distributed in eight
docks and locks available for docking purposes,
government drydocks and mai in b haI co+s
there are numbers of private drydocks far in ex-
be employed by the Government IN time OF war.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD BUILD SHIPS.
Much stress is laid upon the advantages of the
Government building some Of its own ships. On
this subject the Chief Constructor says:
Much has been said both in favor of and against
the building Of vessels in the Navy yards The prog
ress made in>the improvement of yard plants and
force ready for and capable of at all times taking
Up repairs Of any character which the growth in
that the question should be given careful con-
deration There is at the present time, in view of
me prosperous condition Of the shipbuilding in
dustry and the number Of naval vessels building
assignment OF portion OF the building work Of
the Government yards without there being a ques-
support and assistance. through work given out, to
private industry, the maintenance of which IN a
tionaI importance. These conditions make it pos
sble TO eliminate from the discussion any questions
Of policy except such as affect economy and eff
cheney. It has been the history of all the iron and
steel navies in existence to-day that the building of
the vessels nrst entirely conlded to private
industry and that the existence Of the nucleus Of
a steel feet made 1t necessary that the Govern
nents who were their owners should themselves
provide for repairing these vessels; and that, hav
ing provided the necessary plant for this purpose
the provision for the maintenance Of the equally
necessary though vastly more difficult thing to at
Quate efficient personnel, forced them undertake
in their navy yards a portion Of the new building
work
IN the case Of many of the European nations
smaller navtes-so strongly is this necessity for
permanent efficient navy yard personnel felt that
practically all the naval building work undertaken
by them is carried out at their navy yards. What
they have done and doing Is mentioned here
solely TO emphasize the fact that the unanimous
execution Of certain amount of building work at
Government
maintenance or SUCH navy YARD STAINS as a COM
pete and efficient naval organization requires and
that whatever Disadvantages such course entails,
tney are more than compensated TOT IN the enc.
Il IS believed that We have reached that stage in
naval development-stfu considerably behind our
National development--which forces upon US serlI
Gus consideration Of this step which other naval
me outset the disadvantages 10 pc lapoFeo unoer
viii be considerable. Time and experience Will do
reTnovsI of many OF these While under existing
conditions in the of the first vessels built in
viii not be greatly different from-may be
somewhat greater than for-the same work exc
Bureau Relieves that such a course once entered
upon would demonstrate its desirability and practi-
naval adninstra ton, regarded q whole, without
Interference with Judicious policy Of such Gov
oustry will keep the greatest number OF estab-
hshnents in position 10 undertake and execute
promptly any naval work which may be required
THE SUBMARINE BOAT.
Regarding the submarine boat Of which Admiral
Hchborn has been one Of the chief promoters full
plans shown, with the following comment:
The interest Of this Bureau In the development Of
the submarine vessel has been great, witnessed
BY the references which have been made in its re-
ports from time 10 time, the consideration which II
has given the many propositions relating thereto
which have been submitted 70 II, and the assist
those working IN this direction From the essen
tally experimental character Of the work being
cone Il has. however, refrained from comment
lhereon or recommendation as to future policy