The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-23
Defective War Ships,

D.. 1t has always been claimed by Amer
lean naval officers that the new vessels
in the navy. designed and built by
American mechanics, are far superior
to all others of the same class, of Euro
pean construction. This statement has
not been thoroughly accepted, because
1t was felt that national and profess
sionai pride might have had share In
warping the views OF American off,
GERS; for II must be remembered that
nearly all of the new vessels were built
on designs prepared by the naval bu-
reaus. Until the commencement of the
war with Spain no fair opportunity was
had under service conditions to contrast
vessels of European construction with
those which We're the product Of Amer
lean yards.
At the outbreak of that '.'-~ how
ever, 1t became necessary nase
some new vessels abroad. TIL sovern-
ment accordingly took over two vessels
under construction for the Brazilian
government, the cruisers New Orleans
and Albany. Both were Of the highest
British type: were constructed by one Of
the greatest firms of British shipbuild-
ers. who had large experience In build
ing warships. and the vessels under
construction were substantially identi-
cal with vessels which had previously
been built and accepted for the British
navy. Both of these vessels were rec
ognized as being in every respect up
to the standard of the British navy.
This government took them over from
the builders, in pursuance of an ar
rangement with the Brazilian govern
ment. because they were needed for the
navy, and because IL was a matter Of
considerable importance that Spain
should not be permitted to strengthen
her navy by their acquisition.
Ever since the New Orleans went into
commission there have been rumors as
to her imperfections. 1t has been an
open secret that she was top-heavy,
and afforded a very unstable gun plat
form even in moderate sea; and all
officers who have served aboard her
have united In testimony that her in
ternal arrangement was decidedly I'M
comfortable for officers and crew.
These facts have been set out elab-
orately In full report from Capt. Ide.
now serving In command of the New
Orleans in the Philippines. and his
statements are somewhat startling,
substantiated as they are by the re-
ports Of his chief engineer and surgeon.
Capt. Ide reports that the ventilatins
arrangements are so inadequate that
the temperature Of the coriite magazine
is constantly near the danger point. and
that the most constant watehfulness
is required so that the instant this high
explosive shows signs Of deterioration
IL may be thrown overheard. For the
same reason. and because the crew
space is too small. 1t has been neces-
sary, ever since they reached the trop-
les. for officers and men 10 sleep on
deck; and during the rains they are
forced to stand up under the awnings.
their ordinary sleeping quarters being
absolutely unlnha hitable. There has
been much sickness. due
To exhaustion and want OF sleep He
states that while In the American built
ships there are about a thousand feet
of air for each man In the crew space.
there are barely two hundred in the
New Orleans. and this with very de-
sectlve circulation.
He points out further that the mlll-
tary masts and superstructure have a
tendency to make the New Orleans top
heavy, and that u Is unsafe TO reduce
her coal ard supplies very much. In
addition to this, his chief engineer re
parts that the engines have short con-
usctt0ns. small steam space. no sep
arators IN this main steam pipes. 10
independent air pumps and very Slow
reversing gear rs much a. four min
utes are required 20 reverse 'he en-
Rinss At low speed the engines 10 not
balance up. and seem % iabor grH@t'y
The gravity Of this report ls increased
hy the fact that the Albany. parc hased
at the same time. from the same h4lila-
ers. but only recently East into COM
mission. w.u probably aeveiopc the
same defects. Neither is il possible.
except at enormous expense, involving
= practical rebuilding u each vessel. to
remedy them. Tas value " either ves-
SCI for use tn the navy Is far less than
that Of American 6aIt cruisers Of the