The Washington times., 1907-09-08
Expert NayigatOrS Are
Alarmed Over
Situation.
War Department Will
Be Asked for
Assistance.

That the Panama canal has been
planned on too small a scale TO be
serviceable in moving Uncle Sans
monster ships from the Atlantic to
the Pacific ocean, and that, as a re-
suit of this, the canal will have to
be reconstructed in many details,
are calanitieS feared in Govern
ment circles here.
And these fears were given ex-
preston yesterday afternoon by
high officials of the War and Navy
Departments.
If these fears prove to be we'll
grOunded-and this now seems GER
tain-the additional expense to the
United States will be immense.
Too Narrow for Large Ships.
Since actual construction Of the two
new 20 O5o-ton battlsshlps Is about 20 be
denly stumbled upon a difficulty that
threatens to be encountered tRshe move
ment OF these vessels and larger ones
that may be authorized by Congress
next winter. IN being transferred from
one ocean TO another after the compile
ton Of the Panama canal
The question now arises as TO whether
the several locks Of the canal. as de-
-fc nd krs II
enough to admit OF the passage CT these
two vessels without menace 10 the safe
ty of both ships and canal
Would Be Dangerous.
Expert constructors and navigators Of
the navy shake their heads in doubt,
several even claiming It would be the
height OF folly to risk one OF the S10.-
10000 ships IN locks giving less than
eight feet of leeway on either side.
Even with the most sldllful towing, It
would De difficult 10 prevent sCraping,
and possibly a serious mishap.
The canal locks, as authorized, are to
be but 100 feet wide, while the beams OF
the new ships are TO be S. feet, leaving
but IS feet on each side. Il viii be q
serious mistake TO allow the construc-
ton OF both ships and canal 10 continue
without altering the width Of one, and
naval authorities would never listen 70
the least revision OF the plans on which
they worked for more than a year, and
which Congress was finally induced TO
adopt
Building Vessels Wider.
On the other hand. the merchant ma
rine doubtless. when It comes 20 realize
the situation. viii be anxious as Jha
navy for wider locks. All the greater
navies are gradually increasing the
width OF beam Of their ships while the
big transportation companies are doing
likewise. IN this connection it may be
pointed out that the two latest CUnaTd-
ers would have even greater difficulty
than the new battleships, Delaware aud
New York. il clearing the canal The
LJsitania and Mauritania each have a
beam OF lightweight feet. A vessel Of
the Lusitania width, attempting 10 pass
through the canal would have only six
feet space 30 spare between the null
and the lock walls. Consideration OF
this fact and Of The extreme length OF
this ship-nearly 500 feet-has suggest
e6 to the authorities here how difficult
II would be to pilot ship Of these d.
mansions across the isthmus.
Since this situation has developed. IL IS
understood that the navy view OF It win
shortly be presented to the War Depart
ment, with the recommendation that
the locks be widened. Each year, even
each month. bigger warships and ocean
liners are being constructed, and Il IS
predicted that beams of ninety feet on
vessels OF each class viii soon be in evil
dence. Records OF American naval con
structicn show that warship beams have
leugthe ned an average OF enc foot a
year. The canal. It is expected, win not
be completed before seven or eight
years. BY this time, according to the
present and past progress, this Govern
ment will be building battleships with
ninety-five feet beam. Such beam Nigh
seem highly improbable at this time.
yet ten years ago it was thought that a
726 beam was the limit for battIeships,
and ocean liners were held below that
length for several years
Needs Prompt Attention.
That the situation is one that war
rants serious and prompt attention IS
readily recognized by naval officers.
Doubtless. upon being taken up between
the heads of the Navy and War Depart
ments. 1t viii be presented to the Presi-
dent and then to Congress. Congress,
alone. car change the width of the locks
and it is pointed out that such authority