The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-07-07
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
Ranks Third Among the Worlds
Sea Powers and May Soon Be
Second,
brooklyn Ea gle.)

An important confidential statement
has been prepared for Secretary Met
calf by the office of naval intelligence,
showing the sea strength of the lead
ing eight powers of the world as it will
be on June l, 1907. The statement
shows that while the United States
ranks third among the naval powers,
only one nation, Great Britain, is
stronger in line of battle ships. There
IS little to choose between the rela-
tive strength of the American navy
and that of Germany.
Secretary Metcaif believes that the
tables just presented to him are the
most reliable that have ever been COM
piled on this subject. The experts
have thrown out all the obsolete fight
ing ships and numerous GOLFERS, trans
ports. repair ships and converted
cruisers, which represent no real
strength. but are usually carried on
the naval list in order to make an i'm
pressive showing. No warships more
than twenty years old are included in
the statement unless they have been
reconstructed and rearmed since 1900.
Vessels of less than 1000 tons, except
torpedo craft. are also excluded.
Great Britain, of course, maintains
her naval supremacy
The policy of England is to have a
navy equal to the strength of the next
strongest two nations. EngIand's fleet
comprises a mighty array OF 50 battle
ships 30 armOred cruisers and 81 pro-
tected cruisers Of more than 1000 tons
displacement each. She has building
eight battle ships and six armOred
cruisers. In addition, England has an
imposing fleet of torpedo boats, de-
stroyers and submarines.
onIv q fpyEv xrparc 90 that the
United States ranked fifth among the
worlds sea powers. Today we are third
with a constantly narrowing margin
of difference between US and France
which is next to England.
In estimating the sea strength of a
country, naval experts give 80 per cent
weight 20 line of battle ships. COnsid-
ering the three types, battle ships ar
mOred cruisers and steel protected
cruisers, it would seem that there is
little choice between the United States
navy and that of France. The latter
has SO vessels of these three classes,
either built or building, and the
United States has 81. France now has
in commission IS battle ships, 20 ar
mOred cruisers and 81 protected cruis-
ers. The United States has q battle
ships, 8 armOred cruisers and 43 pro-
tected cruisers.
There Is very little difference, also,
in the relative strength of the uncom-
pleted vessels of the two countries.
France has under construction ten bat
tie ships and four armored cruisers;
the United States has eight battle
ships, four armored cruisers and three
protected cruisers
The United States holds its lead over
Germany by the slenderest possible
margin. In fact, there is little to
choose between them, and German au-
thorities do not concede the inferiority
Of their fleet.
The United States has completed q
battle ships, 8 armored cruisers. 40
protected cruisers. 16 destroyers, 8 sub
marines and II coast defense vessels.
Germany has completed 20 battle
ships, armOred cruisers, 81 protected
cruisers, 4S destroyers, "a torpedo
boats. one submarine and coast de-