The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-31
The New Battleships.

To TIRE EDITOR oP The SUS-Su: ! do not
agree with the conclusion arrived at in The
Suns editorial on the Is. cotton battleships.
II Is a matter Of policy as well as Of history as
He SCS remarks. that American shlbs OF
war have always been strongest in offensive
powers How long is il since speed has been
regarded as the primary function OF Offence:
On the contrary. IL - the main reliance OF the
weaker party and its importance in the case
IL question is so urged by :hs principal oppo-
nent OF the approved design for the Is. oro-con
ba,tleships. Admiral Bradford. The Ameri-
cans have always relied on making their ships
OF the same displacement a little stronger
IN gun power than those OF their possible op-
ponenv- and the new des gns for the Idaho
class o farther IN this direction than any ever
designed. With Ii. exception Of the special
Chiian Oatt!eship no ships IL existence abroad.
or drsl sn-d. have the striking energy Per ton
OF displacement Possessed BY our Virginia
class. and the new Idaho class ar eevsn better.
The criticism OF Admtra! Bradford OF this
rIent II: II the Maine class vas properly
designed. the Idaho class IL not Granted. to-
day TIE design OF the Maine class is Obsolete,
Again. Admiral Bradford says L then
advocated that The ships should at least have
4 speed and coal endurance equal 20 our
batileships now building in order that they
might De eihCant units IN fes' formations.
A. a matter Of fact. the hearsarge. Kentucky.
Iowa, oregon. Massachusetts, and Indiana are
lsknot ships and the new Idaho class would
make equally as efficient feet units with
them as TO coal and speed
Admiral Bradford further says in or
der that a ship Of This class might escape
II attacked BY more powerful ship. superior
speed was ur sed little later he says the
Idaho class with 3. CO.. tons lrss dis placement.
has the same main battery, with the eIceI-
ton OF ten Inch IN plaC" Of the Connecticut 5
rNelye 1-lnch Considering that the primary
reason FOR making a ba;r!sship Is 10 night and
not run away. putting these two arguments
SIDE by side can anything be more absurd
IL - ne old l-st!on Of speed ~ batt!eShlps.
vet would venture 10 predict, and believe
The vast ma orlty OF thinking men Will agree
with me that II the rited states built her
entire HShtlnR line OF bsttleshlps OF q mod
crate s.e-d-sav - or 10 knots. and put the
displacement saved into guns and aTmor-
when the day OF conflict came and the Y ar v as
settled ~ Aght 70 the finish and rot by d
ah!p or :eei occasionally SAVING lis%lt tempo
rariIy by running away. there would be no
doubt a. 20 which fleet would ultimately tn
umph.
should an Idaho meet Connecticut or King
Edward even though they are from 5000 TO
100 tons larger, with her powerful battery
every body vii. admit that she would have a
very good chance OF victory. On the other
hand * IS equally evident that the Maine
or even an improved Maine would have
no chanC" whatever except, as Admiral
Bradford says TO run away As our oattie-
ships ar. des gnad not only primarily but en-
tir.y 70 fghl, let Us, II We can, ever! on q
sm al Displacement. design them 70 light and
not run away " a III
PHILADELPHIA July 70.