New-York tribune., 1905-11-07
FOR LARGER BAlTIESHIPS
NauaI Officers Fa0or Them zcith
Increased Gan Poscen

-rosTington, Nov. 6.-The sentiment among
,sval officers in favor of larger warshps, with
Increased gun power, viii, it is expected. result
e. on aupeal to Congress to increase the tonnage
s. +be two battleships authorized by the act OF
Merch last TO $4,000 tons. The General Board
:. .he Navy of which Aorniral Dewey is at the
s,esd ha. submitted to Secretary Bonaparte a
recommendation for naval increase pro-
--aro,,e The Secretary now has the subject
.,,5e- consideration. In addition to the recon-
.,sr6stiou of the General Board. he viii have
..o-e him the views of the Naval Board on
construction, which is composed of bureau
,..S of tbe department 1t is understood that
ar General Board has recommended the con-
.-uction of battleships of greater tonnage than
.,- heretofore projected for the American navy.
zone of the principal objects aimed at by the
advocates of bigger battleships is the instaila-
,,on OF a greater number of the largest sized
erins carried by American men-of-war Con-
syse-ation already has been given TO the posi-
,.,,.,- ~ Installing ten twelve-inch guns on a
rattIeship, and if Congress favors an increase
q, tonnage of the Michigan and South Carollna-
.be ,vo battIeships authorized last March, from
1e 600 TO 5000 tons one Of the problems TO be
.o,,,sd viii be the disposition of the large num-
her of twelve-inch guns which 1t Is desired 10
,ooun+ The mounting of an increased number
,ne doing away with those Of smaller caiibre IN
+he main battery, which would give greater unl-
<o-n7ity in the size of guns Of that battery.
The biggest battleships now building for the
navy carry only four 12-inch guns. supplemented
,v number of S-inch and I-inch guns
In discussing the question of armament for
bsttleships to-day. one expert expressed the
opinion that the speed of the vessels is not SO
important a consideration, for, he said, battle
fhips are made to fight and not to run with a
battery of the biggest guns pouring forth she!Is
~ the greatest size from every quarter, ne Salu
~ would not be necessary to develop such great
speed except in pursuit of an enemy.
There are now building for the American navy
six battleships of 5000 tons each The Michl-
gan and South Carolina. authorized at the last
session. are to be of the same size, unless Con-
gress can be induced to increase their tonnage
10 1900 tons
The recommends tions which Secretary Bona
narte will make in the matter Of increases TOT
The navy are awaited with much interest Inc
fart that so many ships VIII be added TO the
navy in the coming year makes the question OF
an adequate personnel one of serious conslderF1-
fon If the present policy of keeping all the ships
Of the navy in condition for immediate service
{. 10 be maintained. When the batteships ana
a-Tnored cruisers now under construction are
placed in commission much larger nurnDer oL
enlisted men will be required. as we'll as several
hundred additional officers. II the present rate
Of construction is carried out, 1t is estimated i
the department that six or seven batteships ana
four big armored cruisers ana two protected
cruisers will be ready for commission NlIllH
bsttleships call for something like 2S2 officers
and 6490 enlisted men, while the four arIlloreu
cruisers call for an aggregate of 162 officers
and 3206 men.