New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-11
WORK OF NAVY YARDS.
Rear admiral C0pps Reports for
Bureau of Construction.

Washington, Dec. 10.-Provsion for construction
Of drydock at Pensacola, Fla. capable Of accom-
modating the largest ships in the navy Is urged
by Rear Admiral w. L. Caps. chief constructor
of the navy in his annual report made public at
the Navy Department to-day The necessity for a
large deck at this point arises it is pointed OUT
from the strategic Importance of Pensacola
Regarding docking facilities elsewhere on the
Atlantic Coast the chief constructor says there
are only two docks this coast in which 1t Is
possible to dock largs battleships and cruisers,
and that until those under construction ct Ports
mouth, n. H, New-York, League Island Nor
folk Charleston and Mare Island are completed
the work of the Bureau Of Construction and Repair
is performed at a disadvantage.
The report says that while it expected that
the cost of the construction of the Connecticut in a
navy yard would exceed the contract price o. the
Louisiana her sister vessel, under construction
at the Newport News Shipbulding and Drydock
Company every effort IS being made to keep tf
cost within the limit fixed by Congress. and it
hoped that 1t will not be necessary to recomme !
an extension of the limit of cost in this case. D /
date OF completion of the two vessels Will L
differ to any considerable extent. |
The report reiterates that 1.-The repairing
overhauling Of the feet must atsaH times REM
the important work of navy yards, and IN ume
war their resources will be taxed to the utmost
performing such work" Inability to complete
Cumberland and Intrepid within ting limit of c
at the navy yards at Boston and Mare Island.
report states, makes necessary a request for
increase of $4,000 each in the limit OF cost or tint
two ships. Becauss OF the insistence of Congr |
that the Golfers Prometheus and Vestal be &C
structed in navy yards, the report calls for
Increase in the limit of their cost.
Regarding the development of navy yards Il
recommendation is made:
That for each navy yard, a general plan of
velopnent of the yard a whole should be p1
pared as soon as practicable by a board compos
of the commandant, the heads of the working al
partments and such other officers not attached
the yard as the Secretary Of the Navy may col
slider it advisable to assign TO such duty; sui
plans when finally considered and approved by I
department and bureaus concerned to be subJel
only to such minor changes as may be necessa
in view of new conditions which may have arise
The report calls attention to the expediC 10Y
sending the ships the Asatic station home
divisions or squadrons to navy yards on the Fl
cifc coast for repair when in need of repairs
Is believed" the chief constructor adds. that 4
effect both on the personnel and matertel, Woq
fully Justify such arrangement. and the oppd
tunity for drill and the experience gained from SUI
long distance trans-oceanic cruising would be qui
as great as that obtained from short cruises !
AsatiC waters -,
The report makes recommendation for an i
crease in the strength Of the construction corps
present but says such an increase will be impeIl
tive before long