The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-13

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To THE EpiToR or THE Sun Sir, There
has been a great deal said against the ANAL
gamation OF the Line and Engineer Corps Of
the navy which took place by act Of Congress
In 1899. but II the subject is carefully studied
Il will be seen that it is the best arrangement.
The Engineer Corps was not abolished. and
the standing OF the engineer was not de-
graded, as has been said for the line oflcer
IA now an engineer oficer. Those who are
not competent can qualify themselves in
either branch II below 20 years Of age, and
to all the youn ger ones can easily be given
a training which will make them competent.
Every commissioned officer doing deck or
engine duty on a ship should be trained 70
do both in case part OF the complement is
No commandinR oficer who Is not an en-
gineer has the know led &c which will enable
him 70 get the best results out Of his ship.
Too often do commanding officers, who are
without engineering training, treat the en-
CINE department as u II did not, belong TO
the officer in charge OF II. many obstacles
are often thrown in his way, and II is very
hard 20 keep the department in thoroughly
should know what can be got out Of the ma
chinery and the men Of the engineer force
should thoroughly understand the dificul.
ties 20 be surmounted iu overhaulng and
making repairs and keeping the department
In thorouRhly efficient condition. They
would then certainly consider the engine de-
partment az much a part OF their ship as any
other and would always lend II a helping
hand.
There wss no mistake made In the amalga-
nation Of the Line and the Engineer Corps OF
the navy What the navy needs s more
ohicers Those that desire can qualify for
en- glueerng duty only. When there are suf-
fcient commi ssioned officers 20 give each
ship the number for engineering duty that
she needs there viii be great Improvement,
A battleship should have a chief engineer
and six assistants. commissioned officers,
instead OF a chief en- gineer and one assistant,
as IL the case al present. This shortage Of
strain on those doing engineering duty on
the ships
The warrant machlnists are a worthy class;
there are doubtless some exceptions but
education nor the training 20 NJ them for
en- gtneer ofceTs. An educated engineer
oftlCer Il necessary TO obtain the best results.
There IA really nothing necessary 20 the
proper running OF ship IN either deck or
en- Rlne department that cannot be accom-
phshed,, with application, by an educated
person brought'up 10 sea life. IT one has
never seen a ship or a machine shop before,
the United States laws allow him n II qualify
as master Of ocean steamers In five years,
or ~ qualify as chief engineer OF ocean
steamers In six wears in the merchant ser
vice. Those who wish TO specialize along
the lines OF designing and building machinery
particular aptitude shows itself As years
80 by the mechanical appliances on board
ship are increasing. Every rart OF a gun
is a machine Everything IL done by, ma;
chinery. Seamanship has gone. and all
that remains IL handling n ship under steam
and navigation. What is needed now Ia
en- Gneers with training IN nav cation and in
handing steam vessels. The all around
training and manual dexterity Of Admiral
COchTane, r. n, who could show every man
aboard, except the doctor how 70 do his
work. Ia az much needed now as Il was then.
A CHIEF ENGTNTFR Nor ~ THH NAVY.
NEW HAVEN, May 10.