The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-04-27
BATTLEsHIP OREGON.

Il is annOQnCeus says tile SeatOe =
l., that the famous old battleship Ore
gene Is 70 be sent to the Puget sound
navy yard for general overhauling,
amounting almost to radical recon-
struction OF everything save the hull
so that she can be brought up to date.
There is nothing said, however
about the absolute necessity for the
repairs, or the distribution of political
pap to the government blood-suckers
that breed like flies. The oregon was
supposed to be modern ship-at least
she cost the government sufficient for
one-but business is dull among the
political grafters and the Oregon has
been singled out as the one to supply
the necessary scads TO help INDECENT
politicians out of the hole. Continuing
the p. l. says:
'The keel Of the Oregon was laid
about IA years ago, and she has been
in commission for about 10 years. Ac-
cording to some theorists, whose argu~
ments are given great weight by OPP
ponents of the construction OF an eff
cient navy, the Oregon is obsolete and
would be practically useless in time Of
war. This is very far from being true.
There have been great improvements
in the construction Of battleships since
the Oregon was launched. It is true.
II Is also true that the approved mod
ern battleship of the highest type is
a very much larger vessel than the
Oregon, has great theoretical sped. a
larger steaming radius and carries a
heavier armament, in number, but
not in caliber, of guns. 1t is also a
more stable gun platform. The'govern-
ment win never build any more vessels
of the orgon type, for the newer yes
sells are considered an improvement,
but the Oregon viii never go on the
permanent reserve list so long as she
is in condition or can be put in con-
dition for service, unless there are
greater Improvements in battleship
construction in the future than any
which have been evolved since ths
day her keel was laid down.
''The oregon is still very powerful
and very formidable fighting craft, no
matter what the vessel to which she
might be theoretically opposed. 1t
would be a question merely of the
manner in which she was handled and
fought, as compared with the handling
and fighting on the other side, whether
she would necessarily be defeated in a
duel with the most formidable Of the
new battleships Of the world. For ex'
ample, on record performance, II would
be an odds-on bet in favor Of the Ore
gon, with picked crew from the Jap
anese navy. in fight with the finest
and most modern Of battleships, with
such officers and men as handled the
Russian fleet at Port Arthur. She has
the heaviest of defensive armor; her
guns are no lighter in caliber and
merely fewer in number than those Oh
more modern warships; her speed is
not merely matter Of trial perform,
ance, but has been demonstrated in
actual battle, under service conditions
of the severest.
mo; the oregon is not obsolete,
Notwithstanding the length Of time she
has been in the service. She earned
her full cost to the government and
much more on her performance one
summer day off the coast of Cuba, and
demonstrated the soundness Of the
theory Of building a navy for off,
shore fighting purposes as well as for
defense. When she is remodeled, 50
that her interior fittings are brought
up to date; so that her battery can
be fit to take her place in the line OF
on the newer vessels, the Oregon win
eb fit to take her place IN the line OF
battle, no matter how formidable
might be the vessels in an opposing
feet, and give a good account Of her.
self with any adversary There is no
American captain in the navy Of today
who, given the command of the Ore
gon, would run away from any other
battleshlp afloat Offering battle, no
matter what the theoretical odds might
be against his ship in such a fight"