The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-10
Captain WinSlow De
fendS Critic of Con-
Struction at Commit
tee Hearing
Predicted Massachusetts,
Fatality, He Declares,
But Open Hoist Was
Continued.

Lieutenant Commander Sims, VINO has
criticised the naval construction OF
United States battleships. and. in turn,
has been the subject OF severe criticism.
predicted several years ago the fatal ac-
cidents which subsequently occurred on
board battleships IN the Atlantic squad
ron. according 10 d statement made be-
fore The Senate Naval Committee today
by Capt. Cameron MGR Winslow. as
sistant chief CT the Bureau OF Navlga-
ton
These criticisms bore no fruit, and in
1915, every man III one Of the gun tur-
rets on the Massachusetts was killed.
Even then, Captain Winslow said, the
danger OF the open hoist was ignored
and target practice was continued as be-
fore.
Commander Sims, the witness said.
called his attention 10 thee faulty fea-
lures Of the United States battleships
as early 1902. in a letter which point
ed out that the KearsaTge and Kentucky
class were not sufficiently protected.
Sims Not the Man.
The unreliable ofricer. referred 10
yesterday in the letter from Secretary
OF the Navy Metcalf which was read
10 The Senate Committee on Naval AZ
fairs was not Lieut.. Commander sims.
Inspector OF target practice as was gen
orally supposed
Commander Sims has given out the
following statement in regard 20 the
matter:
Editor Washington Times. Refer
( ring TO the account in your issue OF yes
I terday concerning Secretary Metcalfs
recent letter 10 Senator Hale, you
stated.
Although he refrained from men
tioning any name, Mr. Aetcalfs mean
ing was perfectly evident when ne
stated that the criticisms by "a naval
officer" =ere most unreliable Iieuten-
ant Commander Sims, who is believed 10
he the officer referred TO. had recon-
mended 10 the Navy Department that
the armor belt should be increased thirty
inches
=. Subsequently he reduced his esti-
mated armOT increase 20 twenty inches.
ana when he appeared before the Senate
I Naval Committee he suggested an in
crease of ten inches. The great differ
ncer, the Secretary said. Illustrated how
unreliable his opinion was
The above assumption that I was the
officer referred to ives. I understand,
due 10 a direct statement 10 that effect
made before the Senate Naval Commit
tee. so that your paper was in no sense
20 blame. but as ] have never made any
such statements as those attributed 10
me, beg that you viii publish this let
/ ter IN your next issue.
Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM :. SIMS,
Commander L. S Navy
Believing that there is a general mis-
/ understanding of the attitude Of the
| Senate Committee on Naval Affairs re-
garding its treatment Of witnesses. Sen
/ .1s. Of
] has taken occasion 10 explain the posi-
/ tion Of the committee.
/ Several OF the witnesses who have
! been called before the committee ex-
/ pressed a wish to depart from the sub
! lects under iuVeSti CATION and discuss
/ other features Of the naval service IN
! addition there has been a disposition on
/ the part of some of the witnesses to
| quote brother officers 10 substantlate
! their own statements
Wants Direct Evidence.
Senator Hale says the committee has
/ decided that it prefers to hear direct
I testimony from the naval officers rather
/ than secure it second hand. and the wit
/ nesses. therefore, have been requested to
! confine their statements to Their own OBJ
/ servations. This ruling. he said. seemed
( 10 have given the impression that wit
/ nesses were hampered.
/ Regarding the features OF naval ser
/ vice not connected with the present in
vestigation. Senator Hale said that
/ il was obviously not the intention OF the
! committee to hear at this time any views
! on the personnel of The navy. Later
/ should the COMMITTEES desire any in
I formation on this subject. it would call
/ for Officers 70 express their views on
/ The subject.
Evans Fleet Too Low.
CAPTAIN WinsIow also stated that in
his opinion every ship now making the
cruise to the Pacific under command
of Admiral Evans was TOO low in the
water. and that in each instance the
armor plate had been misplaced.
Captain Winslow said that his ideal
armor belt would protect all water lines
4 of a ship from a light load 10 the
deepest load. He admitted that perfect
conditions are practically impossible. be-
cause at best, he said. a battieship Is
q compromise. The normal water line.
/ he pointed out. has no definite meaning
because the weights on board a vessel
vary. and because definite proportions
are never adhered to-
! In service, he said. our battleships do
not float at the designed water line.
TLey float there only when very light
with coal In cruising. this arInor belt
/ is very low down in the water. he de-
70 Illustrate his point that it Is al
most impossible u figure on the ex-
/ 9oat Captain Winslow defended Ad-
CONTINUED on Page Two)
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