The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-17
BIDS OPENED FUR
 SCOUT CRUISERS Three Vessels of Fast Type to
 be Built COST MILLION AND A HALF Turbine Machinery May Be Installed, the Department stipulatine That It
 Is to Be Allowed It's
 Own Discretion.
COST MILLION AND A HALF

Washington, April 16-The lowest bids for three scout cruisers opened at the navy department Saturday were as fol- lows:
 Fore River Shipbuilding company Quincy. Mass. one at $b629OoO, or two at $1, ,557. .000 each.
 Union Iron Works. one at $l,6S9,OOO or two at s1. 6e6.O0O each
 The bids are for the construction of the cruisers under the departments plans with reciproeating engines. The lowest bids submitted for cruisers with turbine en- zines were as follows:
 Fore River Shipbuilding company, two at SLABS. GOO each.
 Bath Iron Works, two at $,o,5,0oo each.
 Bidding Was Spirited.
 The liveliest interest was manifested in the reading of the bids The large reeep- tion room of the Secretary of the Navy held one of the largest crowds that has recently attended the opening of proposals for ship construction. Seven concerns en- tered into the competition Under the law two ships can be awarded to any one con cern. The Newport News Shipbuildins company having contracts for the build ing of two vessels under the act author icing the construction of the scout crus- CTS and other ships, consequently was not a bidder.
 The bids were under two classes, one for construction under department plans and one proposing the installation of tui- t.is NIor CtePl m- pany of Sparrows Point, Md, proposed to build one under either class for a,S5OOO The New York Shipbuilding campony Camden, N J.. proposed to build one cruiser, departments plans. for SlS24,WO; with twin-screw turbine engines, I.SSO,0OO' or with three screw turbine for $l,s66,- GOO.
 William Cramp X Sons ship and en- Der of proposals. offering to build two each, or two with turbine engines, three or four screws at $l. S25, ,O0O each.
 The Bath Iron Works submitted mum Der of proposals, offerin tgo build two cruisers department plans. at $l729,0O each For turbine installation the sub mitted prices ranging from two ships at $1,5730OO each. to one ship at $l,6SO0O0-
 The Union Iron Works proposed to build one cruiser, department plans, for $,6S9 GOO, or two at Sl, 666000 each
 The Fore River Shipbuilding company Quincy, Mass, submitted a number of bids offering to build one cruiser, de- partment planss for 1929 O0a, or two at sl- 557.000 each. For ships with turbine in- stallation. their prices ranged from S1- 46S. 900 on basis that they be awarded two ships, to $l,572.00O for one.
 New and Unique Type.
 With the completion of these ships there will be added to the navy a new and uniuue type of vessel In the opinion of naval officers the war in the far east has demonstrated the great value of scout ships, and since these are planned to have speed of 24 knots and great steaming radius, they are expected to prove important additions to the naval .<~vice
 Their building also opens up the pos sibility for the introuuction ef turbine machinery, as the deparrmetn in the ad- vertsement for bids announced that alter native proposals for the installation of turbine engines would receIve the depart ment's consideration.
 The scout ships are to be 40 feet long with a breadth of 46 feet inches. and ment on speed trial is to be not more than 375O tons. Provision is made for a total coal-carrying capacity of about 1250 tons.
 Each will be provided with battery of twelve 3-inch rapid-fire guns. and two submerged torpedo tubes.