The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-22
IMPROVING THE NAVY
Report of Rear Admiral Hichborn
for the Last Fiscal Year.
Progress Made by the Bureau of
Construction and Rcaafr-VesscIs
Added to the Eieets-tstimate Tint
His Office Will Need Nearly S3O.-
100000 the Coming Involvement Ii

The annual report OF Rear Adm a!
Hichborn, Chief of the Bureau CT c. n
struction and Repair of the Navy Dep TT
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1900, is one of the most interesting Ct the
many documents issued by the various
bureaus and contains a complete and ex-
haustirc description of every vessel now
under construction CIR proposed Will,
many novel and valuable suggestions for
changes in the present meth-ds Of build
ing and fitting cut ships Of war. The re-
port covers the operations in all CT the
navy yards throughout the country and
the work done on vessels. Among the
important recommendations m-de are
that 4 pcrtion of the vessels desired for
use in the navy should by all means lie
constructed in the Government yards
and the arguments against Goverrm ant
construction are ably combated. 1t is also
recommended that 4 large number of dry
docks be constructed on various parts Of
the coasts of both oceans
The estimates for an appropriation for
the work of the bureau for the year 1901
1902. amount 10 sc9,7l9ael.25. This sum
includes s2l, 772,g17 for the bulls and cut
fits CT vessels heretofore authorized. 1t IS
stated in the report that there is cispo-
sition 10 change the site CT the naval sta
tion in the Philippines from Cavi.e to
oiongapo. Oh Subic Bay. a recommen-
dstion is made that those entering tre
navy should know more about mast and
sail training than at present and it is
intended to have wooden sailing veSS Il
built at the Portsmouth Navy Yard as an
addition to the training service.
Vessels Under Constructions.
The plans for the three sheathed and
ooppered battleships and three armored
cruisers, with two other battleships hav-
ing independent turrets, are given in the
report. All five of the battleships will be
, fitted up as flagships, and will carry a
complement of 703 officers and men each.
The cruisers will also be fitted up as
fagships, and will carry 4 crew of S22
officers and men each.
Nine vessels have been added to the
navy during the year. Four of these were
reclaimed vessels sunk by Admiral Dewey
at Manila. Forty eight vessels are at
present under construction. OF these the
Wisconsin, Lawrence, Macdonough, Paul
Jones, Perry, Preblc. Bagley, Blakely,
and Shubrick will be completed this year.
The clerical and designing force Of the
bureau is given great praise for the work
done during the year. The following spe
cial Recommendation is made:
THE bureau has now in its employ a
force composed of men of skill and long
experience. many of whom it would be
unable to replace at any salary which the
Government could be induced to pay. Dur
ing the past two years nine craftsmen re-
signed to accept responsible and remul-
erative positions with private shipbuild
ing firms and on urgent representation to
the bureau as to the necessity therefor,
the Department very justly allowed an adj
vance to certain number of craftsmen,
thus holding out 10 others prospects Of
future advancement. 1t recommends tfat
the Department request that the drafting
force be transferred to the permanent es-
tablishment ard be hereafter appropriated
for under the Legislative. Executive. and
Judicial bill, thus placing the drafting
force on the same footing as the clerical
force of the bureau, and enabling them
to participate in the benefits of the pro-
posed civil retirement bill, which would
be strong inducement TO remain in the
Government service
Progress of the Bureau.
1t is asked that the corps of naval con-
structors be increased, as forty is not
enough. The restoration of the Hartford
and Constitution is also favored. The
progress made by the bureau is referred
to as follows:
''Of the period during which the VAN
dalia. Swatara, Marion. Mohican, and other
2.0oe-ton sloops of war were produced
much might be said. Though they were
without protection or water-tight sub
division, were armed with broadside bat
teries of smoothbore guns, and propelled
both by sails and by slow speed compound
engines at a speed of eleven knots, they
represented fairly the advanced ideas of
their time. How many of those associated
with the work OF this period, looking into
the future. would have believed that dur
ing the space represented by the active
career OF one man wooden snip of war
and sails as means of propulsion would
have passed: that steel should have be-
come the material Of construction; steam
the one propelling power, and electricity
general agent on shipboard; that the
demands for protection, armament speed |
and endurance. would have forced the con-
struction of battleships and armored /,
cruisers Of deep displacements of over |
5000 and 1000 tons, and speeds of !.
eighteen and twenty-five knots? Who of !
them would have believed that within that /
time the resources of this country could !
have been SO developed that when such |
vessels of war are 10 be constructed every |
part going into them is American produc-
tion?'
Holland Submarine Boats Praised.
Great praise is given the Holland sub
marine boats, and the report makes the
reference:
The past year has brought to fruition |
the experimental work covering a consid- |
erab'e period and has demonstrated the
practicability of the submarine boat The
vessel which the Department recently ac-
luired has shown herself capable of such ]
perfect control in the vertical plane that /
she may be kept within few inches of |
any desired depth while moving. or
brought TO the surface and taken under
lgain in very short time; her direction
md control in the horizontal plane on the
urface is effected with the same facility |
Is any other craft, and submerged is lin
ted only by the difficulties of vision: her |
rev are provided for on board with rea-
'onable comfort and perfect safety for
uch periods as she may be in service, and
working either upon the surface or sub
merged; and her armament, consisting en-
freiy of torpedoes, gives her great Of
ersive power. In spite of the unsuitable
ess Of the forms OF power generators at
resent available for vessel running both !
n the surface and submerged, there is
ttained. under both conditions, a speed
hitch. while not all that is desirable. VIII
make the vessel capable of efficient serv-
re as an element for coast defence. OF
he possibilities in the application of eff ,
lent submarine boats to coast defence
'ork 1t is not necessary to speak; nor is Z
necessary to do more than mention the
economy OF men and money In this form | =,
defensive preparation and the moral
fleet upon en- enemy which will come
rom a knnxlndra he ,r.o ,,.,e.-... -. |