The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-11
By r. NJ. Larner.

DH IL NJ 44dl
Washington. March IO.-During the
closing days of the second session of
the Fifty-seventh Congress there was
fought out a proposition on the re-
suit of which will be based the fu-
ture progress of the United States in
the construction of it's war vessels.
On the surface it appears to be but
a difference of views between legisla-
tors as to the size of battleships which
they thought would be the most eff
fective, but behind it is the story of
somewhat unusual interest, especially
in connection with the tactics en-
ployed by both sides to attain their
several ends.
The original provision in the naval
appropriation bill as reported by the
House Committee and passed by the
House provided for three first-class
battleships of 10000 and one armored
cruiser of 1880 tons. This provision
received the support of all the officers
of the navy, including the Secretary
and the Board of Construction. 1t so
happened, however that as the APP
preparation bill was first to be con-
stitution, Secretary Moody consulted
largely if not entirely, with the mem
bers of the House in regard TO the
building programme for this and other
years.
Senator Hale, who has been the head
of the Senate Naval Committee for
brfT
more or less piqued by the tactics pur-
sued by Secretary Moody and was
not prepared to acquiesce in the pro-
gramme recommended to him. An
other reason is given for his attitude.
The bill provides for l6,0O0-ton ships
for the construction of which there
are but comparatively small num-
Der of shipyards which can build yes
sells up to 1900 tons, and which is at
present attempting to construct much
larger vessel the work on which, how
ever, it is said is not progressing to
the complete satisfaction of the Navy
Department and the constructors. But
Senator Hale determined that 1900
ton ships should be constructed, and
when the appropriation bill reached the
Senate he secured the adoption of an
amendment for four vessels of this
character and two armored cruisers of
JtOOU lOIiS EctNbt lIloAteLQ VI NAAO SlAAPS
provided for in the House bill. Then
the Senate and House locked horns
and fight of the most stubborn char
acter was inaugurated.
For years all modern navies have
increased in size the armor and arma-
ment of its vessels as each succeeding
type is evolved. The United States
reached the highest point when the
Connecticut class was designed so that
~ nd nf haT ola
now considered second class battle
ships. England has gone step fur
Their and proposes to build ships of
Is, 900 tons displacement. Consequently,
when Senator Hale proposed a return
to battleships of the $1,000 ton class.
the officers of the navy thought 1t
would be a step backward.
Another very important consideration
is that whereas a 16.000-ton battleship
is relatively much more effective than
a 10000 ton battleship, it requires as
many officers to man the smaller yes
sells as the larger ones, and almost as
many men for the crew, so that the
cost of maintaining the smaller and
less efficient vessel is practically the
same as that of keeping the larger one
in commission. With the United States
Navy as short of officers and men as
il is to-day and the great effort made
10 increase TIE luIlUtT VI OlhCClS anu
men, the possibility of having to man
several additional vessels in order to
secure the same fighting strength as
contemplated, was regarded by officers
of the navy with grave apprehension.
1t was not until almost the closing
of Congress that the House Commit
tee sprang its trump card in calling be-
fore il the members of the Board of
Construction to secure their testimony
as to the relative efficiency of l., 000-ton
vessels and 16000-ton vessels. The tes-
timony of these officers of long expert
ence and training and charged with the
grave responsibilities of their high Of
flee was so conclusive that Senator
Hale could not but recede from the
proposition which he had taken. He
succeeded. however, in securing a COM
promise for two 12000-ton battleships,
instead of the one armored cruiser orig
inal1y provided for in the House bill i.
In the hearing before the House Com
mittee Rear Admiral O'Neil, president
of the Board of Construction, presented
4 memorandum from the Board of Con-
struction on the subject of the size of
ships in which the question of sea-
worthiness, displacement. draught,
speed, armor and armament and coal
supply were treated. introducing it
with views of his own. Admiral O'Neil
stated that the Oregon class of 10,250
tons trial displacement were designed
in 1890. followed by the Iowa, of II, 1868
tons displacement in 1892. the Kear-
sarge. of 1883 tons in 1895, the Maine
of 1880 tons displacement in 1898, the
New Jersey, of $4,000 in 1900, and the
Louisiana of 16 900 tons in 1902. Some
idea of the formidable character of the
vessels of the Louisiana class may be
formed when it is noted that their dis
placement will be considerably more
than half again that of the Oregon
which the people of the United States
are accustomed TO regard as a pretty
good ship. ITO go back to the Oregon
class" he said, would be about like
putting up electric for horse cars. -
What is necessary in battleship is
concisely stated by him as follows:
''The first quality in a battleship is
sea-worthiness, without which she can