The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-10-30
SAYS NARSH|PS
ARE OBJECTIONS
REORGANIZATION OF THE AMERI-
CAN NAVY DEPARTMENT De
CLARED TO BE A NECESSITY.

ment' In general criticism of Unit
ed States battleships and of the bu-
reaus responsible for their alleged de-
fectlve construction, the paper says
Our criticisms have been attacked
as being unpatriotic, the point of view
of these critics apparently being that
If there are defects in the fleet they
should be concealed as far as possible
from the public, in order that the de-
partment itself may quietly correct
these defects and mistakes in construc-
ton, and thus avoid a shock to the
public confidence
This would, indeed be a very good
method, if it were reasonably ren-
able But, as we have several times
pointed out, it is not reliable.
The first serious turret disaster
that on board the Massachusetts-di
not suffice to bring about the plainly
necessary changes in turret construc-
ton The bureaus were deaf to the
energetic protests of distinguished sea-
going officers, and it is an interesting
fact that one of the most emphatic OF
these protests was made to the depart
ment less than a week before the Sec
ond great turret disaster-that on the
Missouri. Our newest ships have tur'
rets planned like those of the Mis-
souri,, with the addition of the automa-
tic shutters, which the Georgia acct
dent nrOvod IN no iuefipiant
THE principle of the interrupted
ammunition hoist was embodied in the
wooden battleships of a century ago,
and there would seem to be no excuse
for our having to rediscover it at this
late day.
For two modern instances we refer
briefly to the recent steaming and gun
trials of our two newest armored
cruisers, the Washington and TEDnes-
see. We do not intend to go into de-
tails of the reports of the board of m
spection and survey on the condition
of these two ships. Their hulls are
well built and their propelling machin-
cry is generally efficient.
posed of seagoing officers, chosen for
their practical experience in the hand
ling of ships and guns, show that the
general condition of these two cruis-
ers, with regard to active service, is
highly unsatisfactory. Most of the de-
fects are not grave, each by itself, but
the accumulation of minor defects
shows that the construction bureaus
have, even up to today, disregarded
the urgent wishes of Surprising Off
GERS.
zone defect, however, is so impor-
tant as to deserve specific mention.
The board of inspection and survey
calculates the radius of action of these
two new ships at 1886 knots, which
the board considers fatally made
quate.' The board, therefore, urged
the use of the forward torpedo room
as a coal bunker, and the slowing OF
briquettes in the cofferdams in the
regular coal bunkers. Neither ship has
either torpedo tubes or fire control sys-
TEN.
"The four bureaus concerned with
building ships build ships with far too
little reference to the requirements OF
men who handle these ships. The bu-
reaus have had before them for years
past full information regarding foreign
advances in warship construction-in
formation supplied by the office OF
naval intelligence. The separation OF
turrets from handling rooms and the
two-stage ammunition hoist have been
before the bureau of ordnance and
construction and repair for at least
five years past
yet in spite of this information 1t
is for the most part only after ships
have been built and mistakes solidifed
in steel that the seagoing officer has
an official right to make his opinions
known.
Thus, in the case of /turrets: Line
officers have for years past made Off
cial protest against the present design,
great OUTLAY which might have been
entirely avoided by correct design IN
the beginning. The faults reported by
the board of inspection and survey OF
the Washington and Tennessee are
likewise faults that have long been the
subject of protest from line officers.
But in this case, too, the bureaus made
inexCusable mistakes which must now
he corrected at increased cost and loss
of time.
Not all of the bureaus are equally
at fault in these matters. Equipment
and steam engineering, of course, have
nothing to do with armor belts and
turret designs. But the general sys-
TEN, as now in operation, is neverthe-
less lacking in efficiency. At one time
or another a particular bureau will do
excellent work, as ordnance is now
doing in regard to guns and sights.
Rut If thp burpau for any reason what