Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11
Bids for the New Battleship.

1t is not likely that any shipbuildinS
firm on the Pacific coast Will seek the
contract for the new hattleShlp which
is the sister OF the vessel to be built
at the New York navy yard. The re-
quests for plans and specifications re-
ceived at the Navy. Department indicate
that the competition Will be confined
to the usual Atlantic coast shipbuflders
who have hitherto been represented in
the effort to obtain such contrac IS
There VIII be much interest IN the
bidding this year on account of the
need of government work of this class
at some of the shipyardS. Bidders: as
usual are permitted to submit their
own plans and specifications. and there
has been some indication that several
OF the firms are arranging to make
will probably adhere to the depart
mental design. as ii is desired to make
the Florida and the Utah duplicate
ships in all essential particulars.
Repairs of the Big Ships.
The Navy Department is in receipt of
reports from the Atlantic feet indicat
ing there will be much work required
on the ships of that command on their
arrival at home navy yards. The work
is not of a serious character. and so far
as general conditions prevail tho re-
suits show that the long voyage has
not so far produced the deteriora ton
or destruction which was expected by
the critics of the cIrCurnnaVlSatinS trip.
The fact that the ships have not had
much chance to he overhduled. except
TO a limited extent on the Pacific coast.
will undoubtedly require large
amount OF work 10 he done on them at
the navy yards when the ships are sent
there after the target practice on the
Guantanamo ranges. The detailed re-
port of the repairs To machinery OF the
ships will be awaited with much IN
terest. since the Information Will at
ford a idea of The efficiency of the SNS
tenn OF detailing line officers Ia take
charge of the engineering department
OF ships of war.
More Bluejackets Needed.
The Secretary of the Navy will I'M
doubtedly ask Congress 70 provide fur
Their increase of the enlisted personnel
An estimate of the men required in man.
ming the newly commissioned ships OF war
l. In course of preparation. 1t Is eX
pecfed that by the end Of OF the present
fiscal year June 30 1859. the total en-
listed strength of the navy. including
the increase authorized by Congress at
the last session. ~ Coz will be reached.
IL is desired 10 avoid. il possible an
interruption IN the work of recruiting
and IT Is considered necessary 10 reach
that condition oy an additional inCrea Sc
i'll the naval enlisted force. JuSt what
this increase should be is st;ll :, matter
OF discussion There are those who favor
likely that the recommended Increase W III
not exceed that number
New Berths for Small Boats.
Arrangements have been completed by
the Navy Department Tor the storage OF
torpedo boats at Norfolk. Va. and
Charleston. :. &. At the former yard
there have been built piers and railways
for the protection 81! the smaller craft of
the navy when such boats are not in
active service. At Charleston aCcommo-
dations are being constructed for fourteen
of the torpedo boats and for submarines
when they are not in commission or under
trial There will be seasons when this
class of naval vessel may not he used al
though the Navy Department has out
lined a series of exercises with bIth sur
face and submarine torpedo boats. with
the idea of deVising plan OF operations
which may be followed in time OF war
There has never been any special iunc-
ton upon which torpedo craft may ne
employed, either Independently or in con-
junction with larger ships. and it is ap-
preciated that 1t is wise to establish this
method Of operation.
The old cruiser Atlanta. one OF the
pioneer ships of the present United States
Navy, now used as a barracks for the