New-York tribune., 1906-11-05

was finally decided that the details OF the new
design should be submitted TO Congress Tor ap-
proval before the appropriations should become
available This action was taken only short
time before final adjournment and hence the
whole matter went over to the session which
opens next month
Secretary Bonaparte is now in much letter
position TO make specific recommendations ABOUT
the new batteship than he was six or eight
months ago The Dreadnought which marked
the first important advance on the designs
which were in favor abroad two or three years
ago. has recently been completed. and has under
gone her sea trials. IT is known. too. that Japan
purposes to build at least two battleships which
shall be a trfe heavier but little slower than
the latest accession tO the British navy 1hese
facts. together with the chance afforded for de-
lberate study Of the various problems involved.
have been turned TO advantage both by the de
partment and by the several firms which are
likely To compete for the privilege Of construct
inc the new vessel. At least two different plans
have been evolved by the General Board, and
within the last few days others have been sub
mitted TO Mr.. Bonaparte b. prominent ship
builders who have had government contracts in
the past In ways such variety may
prove embarrassing 10 the Secretary. but he can
hardly fail to profit by having a multitude of
counseors. He doubtless has full sense of
lHc ItSDtuSlDlltA OF nIOJe'llnT Ine pioneer YES
sci of an entirely new class and will naturally
wish to establish a precedent from which there
will be little reason for departure in the near
future
The impression prevails i'm Washington that
the next American batteship will have a dis
placement of at least 10000 tons. OF 1000 more
than the Dreadnought's and 1000 more than that
of the Connecticut and the Louisiana. the largest
American battleships i'll commission. The chief
uncertainty apparently relates to the number of
12-inch guns the vessel will mount and TO her
speed She will hardly carry fewer than the
Dreadnought carries-that is. ten-but she may
possibly be provided with twelve To enable her
TO develop twenty-on knots, as the Dreadnought
did a few weeks ago. is possible. no doubt, but
may not be thought expedient. Since the new
American vessel will be heavier than the Dread
nOught. it would require more powerful engines
10 render it equally fast. The governments de-
cison on this point will be awaited by the pub
lie with eagerness
There is a strong probability that the pro-
posed battleship will be equipped with steam
turbines. though here again. a rather difficult
question is presented At least two kinds Of
turbines are now being made in this country.
One was invented by G. c. Curtis, and the other
is a modfed-and, according to Mr.. Westing-
house. who manufactures it. an improved
form of the Parsons engine. which originated
in England and is extensively employed in the
British navy. The government may have trou
BILE in deciding which of the two is the better
suited 10 its use 1t will get some light on the
merits of the Curtis engine. however, when the
scout cruiser Salem is ready for her trials
! IT, on the strength of that evidence, it should
be thought wise to put the same kind of engine
into the first new battleship. and if afterward
the Westinghouse Parsons engine promised 70
give better satisfaction. the preference could be
given to the latter in equipping other vessels of
the same class