New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-02
DELAYS IN BUILDING WARsHIPs.

One of the most important features OF the an
nual report Of the Bureau of Construction and
Repair in the Navy Department, which has just
appeared in full is its discussion of the tardi-
ness with which various war vessels are now
approaching completion. Rear Admiral Bowles,
who has recently resigned, shows that on July
l. 1908, six batteshipS were anywhere from
three to thirty-three months behind time. AS
only one of these, the Missouri, has since been
finished it is necessary to add five months to
the periods here specified. Similar procedure
makes the delay on eight protected cruisers
and nine armored cruisers between five and
twenty five months up to December l.
No less than eight different causes are speci-
fed as contributing to this general result, and
for four the government itself is more less
responsible In the past, inspection of the prog
ress of work at different yards has not always
been as prompt and systematic as it might be-
but improvement has already been effected in
this respect. There have been delays, too, in
the delivery of ordnance For some of this, no
doubt, the government is dependent on outside
contractors, but its larger guns are turned out
at its own shops. Admiral Bowles lays little
stress, though, these influences From the
administrative point Of view the worst troubles
appear to be the inadequacy of the plans on
which contracts are based and changes I'm the
the contracts are let Sometimes it is decided
to make a vessel longer than was originally in
tended, to alter the design of her turrets or to
reorganize her batteries. For most of these
notifications there have been good reasons, no
doubt, and the experience may have been some
what exceptional. STILL Admiral BOwles is in
clined to believe that in the future it would be
prudent to allow more time for the work in the
contract itself. He is also convinced, doubt
less as the result of recent experience, that it
is unwise to leave too many details to be
worked out after the contract is formally let.
For four other hindrauces the contractors or
sub-cOntractCrs are in a sense to blame. Oc-
casionalIy there has been a lack of skilled labor
at the yards of the builders. The technical
staff of the latter has had its deficiencies. \
few years ago there was serious delay in the
delivery of armor plate but this is no longer
a grievance Just now. in fact the government
often gets its armor before the ships are ready
for it. The greatest embarrassment to-day is
traceable to the steel manufacturers with whom
the builders negotiate for material. When a
piece Of construction which is TO extend over
period of two three years is undertaken it
is desirable to have the metal for the different
parts supplied in a particular order The plat
ing for decks is Of no use before the keel is
laid. The manufacturers, however, suit their
own convenience IN the manner III which they
shape and furnish the steel required Even
when the shipbuilder stations an active agent
at the sub-contractor's works to protest coax or
demand, his efforts do not always avail Ad-
mral Bowles has considered The proprety of
offering the steel makers a bonus to hurry
their compliance, but is satisfied that such a
policy is inexpedient The gratuity would need
to be large to be effective. and at best it would
| be advisable in only rare instances. To apply it
to all vessels under construction would be enor-
mOusly expensive.
So far as bringing pressure to bear on the
shipbuilding firms themselves is concerned that
/ is shown TO be almost useless. When penal
ties are provided for by contract they are often
RENTED because the contractor is in no sense
TO blame Bonuses for prompt delivery would
he equally unserviceabe. If the builder cannot
finish his work time for lack of material, no
such inducement would materially alter the
situation Admiral Bowles has thrown out
some suggestions which may help his successor
in several ways but he has left to Chief Com
strUct0r Capps several unsolved problems TO
wreste with. The country will wish the latter
official success in dealing with them