Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1905-11-03
COULD
NOT WIN
A BATTLE
With Present EngineersSays
Rear Admiral Rae.
POINTS OUT ALARMING
DEFECT IN NAVAL SYSTEM
Expert Says Bennington Explosion Is
OaIy One DepIOrabIe Instance
of Lack of Competent
Engineers,

Washington, Nov. 2.--Rear Admiral
Charles Rea, engineer in chief of the
United States navy, in his annual re-
port, calls attention to the critical
condition Of engineering in the navy"
and points to the explosion on the
gunboat Bennington in San Diego har-
bor which he says most forcibly en-
phasizes the necessity OF serious and
immediate attention.
Speaking of the operations of the
personnel bill which merged the corps
Of engineers into the line OF the navy,
he says a whole corps of specialists
was virtually abolished and their du-
ties transferred to the line. As all
midshipmen at the academy had been
given excellent practical instruction
for promotion i'm engineering, he adds,
no examination other than that rcqulr-
ed for promotion was demanded of
them for qualifying for the perform
ance OF the joint duties imposed by
the personnel act The intent, how
ever he continues, was that they
should be ordered at once to the per-
Torrance Of engineer duty insubordi-
nate capacities as assistants of the
older engineer officers.
owing to the absence OF specific in
structions in the personnel bill. COM
bined with powerful adverse infiu-
ences within the department" he con-
tinues. for three years absolutely
nothing was done by the younger line
officers in acquiring engineering ex-
perlence, and later, owing to the large
number OF ships kept IN commission.
and the scarcity of officers, but little
In that direction was accomplished"
-r..But for theavuffahiiity or certain Re-
tired naval officers. the bureau. the
report says, would experience great
difficulty In finding officers for the
various responsible positions both on
shore and at sea.
so few officers of the line are taxi
ing up engineering seriously that the
situation is becoming alqrming." says
the engineer I'm chief. and he adds:
No Hope With Amateurs.
Were the country suddenly plung-
ed into waS yhe navy would find Itself
in no condition to win a battle. As
necessary as good craftsmanship Is
the ability to carry out guns to the fir
ing line and to keep them there amid
the havoc created by modern ord
nance. and this will never be done
with amateurs I'm charge of the ma
chlnery That line officers can become
engineers has already been proved. but
they must have experience to become
So and that experience must be ac-
1uired In subordinate positions No
young officer out of the academy but
a short time, who would not be given
charge of the deck except under SUI
pervision OF a senior officer. should be
placed in charge of the engineer de-
partment OF a ship. as has been done.
Engineering logically belongs to the
line and the line should he made TO
perform that duty earnestly"
Admiral Rae's Plan.
Admiral Rae submits plan "for
quickly supplying the navy with a
body of efficient engineers" which
provides that all the younger officers
must be given engineering duty and
be made to realize their responsibility.
the duty to be performed first in a sub
ordinate capacity and examinations to
be strict with engineering ranking
with craftsmanship. gunne,y and nav
gation Further the plan provides for
a number OF engineering specialist In
the line. whose duty at sea and on
shore shall be engineering.
Such officers not to perform sea duty
after reaching the grade OF comman-
der.
one In every ten above the rank Of
lieutenant, junior grade, Is suggested
as the number of such officers redulr-
ed and It Is proposed that such officers
be recruited from the foot OF the list
of lieutenants. the officers so selected
to be given a course In higher marine
engineering for at least year.
This plan, II IL explained, would give
a body of engineering specialists as
follows;
Two rear admlrals seven captains,
eleven commanders. twenty-nine lieu
tenant commanders and thirty-three
lieutenants, OF which number 62 would
be available for sea duty.
Admiral Rae says the bureau Is op-
posed to the formation OF separate
corps of engineers In the navy similar
to that abolished by the personnel act
for various reasons.
Legislation increasing the number cf
warrant machinlsts Is recommended
and It Is proposed they he given the
Tlknt 70 UuhfteVN according 10 rank,
and warrant Officers ~ the line.
other changes IN the rating of the
engineer force are recommended
For the navy yard at Mare island
appropriations are required for the
construction OF a foundry. smithy,
boiler shop. cOpperrmlth shop. pattern
shop and administration building.
The commandant at Mare Island
ward IL quoted as saying the present
boiler shop there is menace TO the
safety Of some Of the boilermakers.
For the Puget Sound navy ward estl-
mates are requested for y pattern ship
and administration building and sO.-
900 Is requested for the Cavite station.
FORMIDABLE INCREASE
IN NAVY A NECE<eIIt
Washington, Nov "A Formidable
vet necessary Increase In the navy,