Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
BIDS FOR CRUISERS
BOARD aa2ioE .:tcoNsrRucr1oN
FAvoRs THE CRAMPS PROPOSAL.
One Vessel to Be Completed in Thirty
Six and the Other in Thirty-Nine
= Months, to Cost $4,000, 600.

p. The board OF construction Of the navy
has submitted the following recommended
ton the bids of the two first-class ar
mored cruisers opened last Tuesday:
l. The board has the honor to report that
Il has carefully examined and considered
the schedule of bids opened at the depart
ment on January g. 1903, for the construc-
ton of the hulls and machinery of armored
cruisers Nos. 10 and II, Tennessee and
Washington" and Of all other papers and
plans in connection Herewith. referred to
by the departments first Endorsement Of
January 6, 1908. and subsequently to the
board of construction for its information
and for report and recommendation, and
has the honor to report as follows:
2. The lowest bid is that Of the William
Cramp G Sons Ship and Engine Building
Company Of Philadelphia, In which they Of
fer to build two vessels at 100000. and
complete one in thirty-six months and one
In thirty-nine months. This bid Is under
class 2, namely. 1t modfies the government
plans and specifications to the extent OF
substituting the arrangement of the ma
chinery Of armored cruisers Colorado and
Pennsylvania, of the same power, but of diff
ferent arrangement from that specified for
the Tennessee and Washington.
1t substitutes the Nicklausse boiler, ar
ranged In six fire rooms for the Babcock
and Wilcox boiler, arranged In eight fire
rooms, as shown in the government plans.
The changes in engines and boilers involve
changes in locations OF bulkheads in hold
and Of spaces on the bridge deck which are
Objectionable. It also offers for the electric
plant the notwithstanding generators and
system, but agrees to substitute therefor
the reciprocating, dHect-current, generators
and system specified by the government
for the additional sum Of $50. 600
3. While there are certain features in the
plans above referred 10 which are not con-
sidered as satisfactory in all respects as
those prescribed in the departments plans
they are matters which permit Of satisfac-
tory adjustment, and. under these circum-
stances, the bid. of Messrs.s Cramp & Sons
above quoted offers the construction OF the
vessels at the lowest cost and In the short
est time The board-therefore recommend
the acceptance of this bid for both vessels
with the electric generating plant and sys-
tenn as specified In the government plans
and specifications at 81. o85, 600 each. Act
chief the board Is OF the opinion that boil
ers Of the Babcock ana Wilcox type should
4. Wit With ~ regard to,a1that part of the de-
partment's endorsement calling the atten-
ton of the board too the provision Of the
act of authorization with respect to COM
binations intended to- deprive the govern
ment Of fair, open apd unrestricted compe-
tition in letting contracts for the construc-
board finds no reason to suppose that the
bidding on these vessels has been In any
way Influenced by any such combination
intended or calculated to deprive the gov
eminent OF fair. open and unrestricted
competition. ~. 'aA- x