Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07
TIE NEW BATTLESHIP


The Secretary of the Navy. in compliance
with the direction Of Congress that all
competent naval constructors shall have an
opportunity to submit plans for the new
battleships contemplated. has issued the at
tached circular. which will be sent to all
persons interested in the matter. He has
also directed the board on construction and
the various constructing bureaus to submit
preliminary plans not later than November
1. 1905. which. with the specifications. must
be sufhcientiy full to furnish the informa-
ton desired by Congressional Is to say. 10
set forth the type Of the battleship pro-
posed by the designers on the part of the
Navy Department. its displacement. draft
and dimensions and the Kind and extent
of its armor and armament
The circular Is as follows:
THE Navy Department invites the atten-
ton of competent naval constructors in the
United States to the following provisions
Of the act making appropriations for the
naval service. approved June %. 1905
namely:
That for the purpose of further In
creasing the naval establishment of the
United States the President is hereby au-
thorized to have constructed by contract or
in navy yards as hereinafter provided
One first-class battieship. carrying as
as any known vessel OF Its class, to have
the highest practicable speed and greatest
practicable radius of action, and 20 cost.
exclusive of armament and armor, not cx-
ceeding $6,000000,
Provided, that before approving any
plans or specifications for the construction
Of such battleship the Secretary of the
Navy shall afford. by advertisement or
otherwise. in his discretion, a reasonable
opportunity to any competent constructor
who may desire to do so to submit plans
and specifications for his consideration, for
which said plans, should the same be used
hxpA H., tfo1
or on behalf OF successful bidder for the
contract, such compensation shall be paid
as the Secretar., OF the Navy shall deem
just and equitable out Of the amount here
in appropriated under the head contingent,
navy"
THE act aforesaid contains the following
further provision, namely:
Provided. that before any proposals for
said battleship shall be Issued or any bids
received and accepted the Secretary of the
Navy shall report to Congress at its=pext
session full details covering the type OF
such battleship and the specifications for
the same including its displacement. draft
and dimensions and the kind and extent OF
armor and armament therefor.
1T Is the purpose Of the department to
furnish the aforementioned information to
the Congress on the first day Of its next
session. Any competent constructor who
desires SO to do may submit preliminary
plans for the battleship aforesaid to the
department not later than November 1.
tendant Specifications, shall show its dis
placement. draft and dimensions and the
kind and extent of armor and armament
therefor. and also its expected speed and
estimated cost and likewise within what
time completed plans and specifications for
the construction of such vessel will be fur
nished II desired by the department, and
finally, what amount will be deemed by
the said constructor just and equitable COM
pensation for the said preliminary and the
said completed plans. should the same or
either Of the same be paid for by the de-
partment in accordance with the terms of
the statute aforesaid.
1.-The said several plans will be considered
by the department. in comparison and COM
petition with such as may be prepared In
Its own bureaus, aided by the report of q
special board appointed for the particular
purpose of weighing the respective merits
Of all the said plans
"A copy of this circular shall be sent to
each private naval constructor whose ad
dress is known to the department, and it
shall be given publicity through the press"