The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-09

Contracts for the two 200o0-ton battle
ships were completed yesterday between
the Navy Department and representatives
of the two shipbuilding companies which
have been selected to build the monster
American war ships that will outclass the
British Dreadnought. Final exchanges Of
papers were made and signed by Acting
Secretary Newberry, President Bowles. Of
the Fore River shipbuilding Company.
ard President circuit. of the Newport
News Shipbuildlng Company.
While the award OF contracts dates
from Juiy l. the completion of contract
was dated August G, from which date
time will be marked against the ship
building company to the extent Of thirty
eight months. the limit within which the
ships must be completed and ready for
acceptance by the government
Turbine in One Only.
Bids for these vessels were opened June
20 by Secretary Metcalf. and announce
ment Of the award was made by him June
%. A number of legal and technical ques-
lions were involved, however. which con-
sumed the five weeks of time. The Fore
River company agreed to build one ship
for s44S0,000 on the departments plans
and specifications, with Curtis turbines.
Only minor questions as 10 arrangement
OF machinery were involved.
The Newport News Shlpbuilding Com
pany proposed TO build one ship for $685.
900. also with Curtis turbines. TO comply
with the departments requirements, but
1t developed that this company was not
able 10 make arrangements with the Fore
River people for installing turbines Of the
Curtis type The Newport News com
pany also submitted a bid for Parsons
turbines OF their own make, which was
rejected. Other bids. on the builders
plans. We're finally decided upon, at the
price named above.
Accordingly. one OF the new ships viii
have turbine engines, while the other
viii have reciprocating engines, which is
expected to demonstrate TO the depart
ment the relative merits Of the two types
OF machinery.
Yards I'm building Race.
The contracts bear the same date.
partly in order that the companies may
have opportunity TO demonstrate their
superiority in the matter of time in de-
livering the ships. II is expected that a
pretty race will develop. which may
prove even more interesting than the
race between the government contractors
at the Brooklyn navy yard. building the
Connecticut. and the Newport News COM
pany. building her sister ship. the Lou
sana.
While the contract requires that both
by the government within thirty-eight
months from August 6, the Fore River
Company. In its bid, offered 20 deliver
the ship within thirty-four and One-half
months from date Of contract. This, II
is understood is not looked upon favor
ably by the Newport News Company.
but the department, in concluding the
agreement, did not bind the Fore River
people to the shorter period OF time.
OF Delaware Type.
The vessels will be known officially as
OF the Delaware class. It having been
decided To give that name 10 the product
OF the Newport News Company The
other ship has not yet been named. but it
will probably be called the New York. for
New York State and the vessel bearing
that name at present will probably be
renamed the Manhattan. The vessels will
carry tremendous armament and have
speed OF Il knots an hour.