The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-13
NAVAL STRENGTH
DOUBLED WITHIN
NEXT 8 YEARS
Extensive Plans of Navy
Department Being
Rushed Forward.

Within three fiscal years from July
last the United States Navy, according
20 the present plans and progress Of
work, will be more than doubled in the
number Of vessels OF all types and
strength The number OF battleships
viii have been augmented within that
time from twelve to twenty-seven in
number, with a stiu greater increase in
strength This does not include the
two new battleships that are now being
designed with the intention that they
be made larger than any fighung craft
now anoat
The battleship section OF the navy has
been increased nearly IS per cent in
strength and exactly so per cent in num-
bers since July 1 last I'D 10 the present
time six new battleships having been
added to the fleet within that time.
Three more viii be added within the
next two months-the Kansas, Mime
sofa, and Vermont-in time to partici-
pate in the jamestown Exposition. and
three more-the South Carolina, Aiichi-
gan, and Nebraska-within the next
two years. The New Hampshire, Idaho,
and Mississippi VIII be completed
shortly afterward. and then wiz come
the two new monsters which are hoped
by the Navy Department to prove a
surprise to the fighting world.
Evans Fleet at jamestown.
When Rear Admiral Evans arrives at
Hampton roads, April 10. to receive the
foreign warships and participate in the
opening of the jamestown Exposition
he viii De in command of the biggest
feet of battleships that ever entered
.a.rss~
North from Cuba with fifteen battle
ships, and the four battleship divisions
viii be made complete with the addi-
ton, within a few weeks, of the Mime
sofa. now being put in readiness at the
Norfolk yard. Later, the Massacnu-
sets, which is undergoing repairs, viii
join him, and then the new battleship
Vermont. and then the Kansas. This
VIII give him nineteen drst-class mod
ern battleships, ranging ia tonnage from
1G2SS 10 5000. Aside from these, Ad-
miral Evans will have at the exposition
al different times about twenty cruisers,
torpedo boats and other. smaller craft
the baLtleShlp strength OF the navy
as il now stands. numbers eighteen. the
Oregon and Wisconsin being in dock
for repairs ana general overhauling at
the Bremerton yard. Puget sound
Plans of Navy Department.
According 10 the present plans of the
Navy Department, the first line of sea
defense of the United States Will be
made up Of twenty-five battleships by
the close of the Hext fiscal year.
Whether the possibility OF war with
Japan or any other country within the
next few years is responsible is not
known. but certain it is that word has
gone from the White House that work
must be rushed with all possible speed
on all ships under construction, es-
pecially those Of the larger types with
the view Of having each completed a 4
the earliest possible date.
This not only applies to those now
nearing completion, but TO the two mon !
sters which have only recently been
authorized Naval constructors within |
the past few days have been Informed
that Secretary Metcalf has called atten-
ton TO his order month ago. directing
that plans for these new ships must be
on his desk by April IS. in order that
bids may be advertised for by May l. SO
as 10 be able 70 open the bids July ], IL |
1t being necessary 10 give contractors
sixty days notice.
To Expedite Construction.
According to the present plans to ex-
pedite all construction work. within a |
year from May 1 the Bureau OF Con- /
struction viii be clear of all contracts /
now let or under contemplation, ex- /
cept those for the battleships South |
Carolina and Michigan. two Golfers a /
number of destroyers and the two q. 900 !!
ton vessels that are now being planned. 4
Though the bids for these latter two 4
ships will be advertised for May /, it 4
is not thought possible that they can 1
be completed within three years. despite /
orders that they must be slid from the /
ways AT the earliest date possible.