The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-20

Duuo1uk kHO iNCW lNoNys
! There are at the present time forty
seven vessels under construction for
the navy of the United states. and bids
have been asked for the construction
OF five more battleships and six more
armored cruisers. This will make a
total OF fifty-eight more warships to be
added to the navy within the next two
or three years, even II congress makes
no further provision for the building of
new vessels.
OF the vessels under construction,
many are in an advanced condition, and
If an emergency should arise, could be
rushed to completion In short order.
The navy department issues monthly .
bulletin showing the progress of con-
struction on ships under contract. The
percentage OF completion Is given In
gust 1t appears that at least three OF
the new battleships will be ready for
service In a very brief period. The
Alabama. which the Cramps are build
ing, is es per cent. completed; the
Wisconsin, Under construction at the
Union Iron Works. Is reported at 81
per cent: and the Illinois. building at
Newport News. IL 81 per cent advance
ed. The wisconsin and Alabama. for
practical purposes, could be put into
commission within a week or two. I'm
case OF emergency. Work has fairly
well advanced on the other battleships
under contract. the Maine. 70 per cent.
being the furtherest advanced. follow
ed by the Ohio. which the Union Iron
Works Ia building, "a per cent, and the
Missouri. at Newport News. . per cent.
In the siass OF sheathed protected
cruisers, seven vessels are under con-
tract. ana six under construction, but
not very well advanced. The Tacoma.
for which the Union Iron Works has
the contract, has not been commenced.
or the others. the Denver Is 20 per cent.
advanced In construction, while none OF
the others IS even this far along.
The four new coast defense monitors
make q better showing. The conuecti-
cut. building az the Bath Iron Works. is
% per cent constructed; the wyoming.
Union Iron Works. as. the Florida.
Lewis Nixon. a., ana the Arkansas.
Newport News. a.
The sixteen torpedo boat destroyers
are IN all stages ~ construction. from
the thlrty-knot Lawrence. which the
Fore River Engine Company has "a
per cent. completed. down TO the Trux
ton, whipple and worien. on which
the contractors. the Maryland steel
Company. have only done Is per cent.
Of the work.
OF tho torpedo boats Cor the con-
siructloo - which contracts have been
let Within the past two years. fifteen
remain stlll uncomrlsied. although the
majority ~ them are In such an ad-
vaneed stage that they could be quickly
made ready for use in an emergency.
For example. the Goidseorough is sim
rated as aaeompiesed. credited with %
per cent Six Of these boats are ad-
vaneed 20 per cent towards compile
ton. and the Bldils. the lowest on the
list, IS credited with - per cent.
~ ..
TO he let In the near future the new
oat'seships. Ave in number. are. of
course. the most important. They VIII
be among the most formidable aghting
craft ever pat into the water, and in
dividuaiiy each or them should be at
least a match for any vessel afioa, in
any navy in the worls The plans for
these vessels viii be opeh Cor the in