Evening star., 1901-03-13
TO RECLASSIFY WARSHIPS
GIVEN Ry RECENT
SESSION OF CONGRESS.
Existing System Rendered Obsolete
by Progress I'm Marine
Architecture.

In pursuance of legislation enacted at the
last session of Congress the Navy Depart
ment is making preparations for a reclass-
incatlon OF the vessels of the navy This
VIII involve change of classification ac-
cordlng TO the number of guns, which was
the system adopted many years ago to a
ciasslhcation according to tonnage and
other qualities more in accordance with
the modern system of naval architecture
The existing classification was made I'm ac-
corcance with statutes enacted many wears
ago. According to those statutes vessels
OF the navy OF the United States were di-
V1ded into four classes and commanded
nearly as possible as follows:
First rates, by commodores: second rates
Dy captains; third rates by commanders;
Icufth rates, by lieutenant commanders
IL was also provided that steamships of
Iorty guns or more should be classed as
nist rates. those of twenty guns and under
lGrty as second rates, and all those of less
tiah twenty guns as third or fourth rates
Inc changes which have taken place I'm
faFal construction during the latter half
or the century just closed have been so
radical that the foregoing classification of
SHIPS of war, prescribed by law fifty wears
ago, has become obsolete. The line-of-bat-
Tie snip, which under this classification
WCuld nave been ranked as a first rate"
with its wooden hull tier on tier of muzzle
lcadlng guns and lofty spars bears little
resemblance to battle ship of the first
class or the present time with its COM
paratlNely low, heavily armored hull re-
volVing turrets. small number of powerful
Dreech-loading guns and military masts
Inc constitution and the Constellation
We're fine examples of the old line-of- battle
shlpS, and it would be base fattery to
compare them with the modern steel battle
Shlps like the Kentucky and the KearsarEe
Under the old classification no proper place
can be found for the modern battle shin
or for the modern cruiser, torpedo boat or
vessels or the monitor type. The require
ment that first rates be commanded as
nearly as may be by commodores is like
wise obsolete. the grade of commodore, so
Tar as the active list Of the navy is con-
cerned, having been abolished.
the classification of naval vessels ac-
cording to the number of guns carried not
being applicable to existing conditions and
1t being undesirable to retain upon the
statute books requirements which could not
be carried out, it has been repeatedly rec
commended by the Navy Department that
congress change the statutes so as to per-
NIT classification better adapted to mod
ern naval construction. In making this
recommendation the officers of the Navy
Department suggested that while speed
armor protection, effectiveness Of battery
and other considerations might be taken
into account in making such classification,
the division Of naval vessels into classes
according to tonnage would prove in prac-
tce perhaps the most simple and most
satisfactory plan that could be adopted.
Nearly every Secretary of the Navy since
the new navy began has advocated the re-
peal Of the ancient law but without sue
cess until the last Congress gave the Presf-
dent authority to make elastic regulations
Tor the classification of warships. 1t is
probable that a special board of proni-
nent naval officers will be appointed for
the purpose Of considering the best plan of
Reconstruction under that authority.