New-York tribune., 1909-05-07
LESSONS OF CRUISE
II G4TN IN EFFICIENCY.
Changes in Ships to Make Them
Ready fer Battle
From The Tribune Bureau. Z

Washington. May 6,-The sixteen battleships OF
the Atlantic feet WAX go from the navy yards
where they being Overhauled and docked
on june Is radically changed in outward appear
ance Tbs vessels VIII practically be in q condition
for action degree which has never before pre-
vailed in the navel service in time Of peace and
when there has been prospect of war. These
important changes mainly the result OF expert
ence gained during the ercumnaVigatng cruise Of
the feet. which Secretary Meyer says cost the
government 81 100000 above what would have been
the cost Of maintenance and operation had the
ships remained in lCne waters. Naval strategists
look upon this extra expense premium paid
for the benefit Of increased naval efficiency and
as representing investment most useful in i'm
proving the hitting power IF the naval arm
The most conspicuous change which the civilian
observer will recognize is If the color Of the yes
sells The hull, snail boats and. indeed. all Of the
exposed portions VIII be OF a shade described
duil gray. without the lustre reflect the or
otherwise add 10 the prominence of the ship. II
is the ceIor decided upon by the experts least
likely 10 attract attention and possessing the
greatest degree invisibility This idea has been
carried by the removal Of all the brass fittings
even TO the doorknohs. and includes the abandon
rent Of the bow ornaments and the gilt letters Of
the ships names
The removal Of the bow ornaments is justified
not only as means Of taking from the ship a con-
spicuous feature. but accomplishing a reduction
in the weight carried by vessel The policy is 10
reduce these weights 10 bring each vessel
down 10 fighting trim. carrying only those things
OF practical value in attack. which is consideTed
before the factor of defence. There has been an
elimination of some Of the boats carried by the
battleships with the substitution OF motor for
sail boats, that time may be saved
and the burden reduced is in this connection
that there has been removal of what IS known as
top hamper Much Of the material when mas
hitherto made the main deck OF battleship an
overcrowded platform has been placed belo" deck
OUT of sight and range OF an enemy's shots or mas
been entirely eliminated
Another feature which has been tried out sue
cessfully is the method OF carrying ammunition.
OF this will be stored in the turret, where II
viii be conveniently at hand, and where II is con
sidered quite safe those who handle IL as Il Il
were stored in the shellrooms below the lurIe'-
This makes possible emergency supply OF PrO-
5ectiles, with a saving IN the time Of handling ana
corresponding increase in the rapidlty OF "Ie-
The problem Of taking care Of powder has engaged
expert attention and there is now being ADOPTED 4
system OF cooling the magazines so that there can
be maintained a uniformity Of temperature as d
protection against accidental Ignition
4 conspicuous change the installation OF the
fire control masts and the removal Of the old mill
tary mast The structures are OF steel plptis'
so inrerleced as 10 resist attack and remain IN posi-
tion no matter if the enemy succeeds IN hitting lie
mast and cutting the metal in many places. Inc
platforms the top are 20 be used by the range
finders in determining the distance from the eiiei'S
This requires elaborate system Of eleetnca' com
lnunicaton. which is also being Installed ana WHICH
Will be tried out during the target practice TO u
held in August or September. probably on the VIZ
ginia Capes.
Electricity is being used greater extent than
ever before, and much OF the mechanism on ooato
the ships is now be controlled in that way rms
is especially in the turning OF the tu'rets Wilch
can be regulated TO a degree hitherto imposslole
and with nicely Of movement that renders II pos
sble TO describe the complete Of the turret al
so deliberate a rate TO te impeTcepube 10 an
observer. The searcflights have been taken from
positions they have hitherto occupied ana peeh
hung on the skeleton nlasts. In the coming
rnanouvres it is purposed 10 ascertain Il these Pc
sitions are the most effective and some twelve or
fifteen the torpedo boats will be used IN eAer-
cIses in conjunction with The big ships.
Many changes viii be made in the superstructure
Of the ships, and wherever possible the temporary
bridges cabins Will be removed II is probable
that some of these structures will be replaced, out
IL Is desired in the coming summer 10 ascertain
what can be permanently omitted with advantage
in the manceuvTing Of the ships.
Internally many minor changes will be made,
such as removal from the turrets of electrical
appliances which endanger life OF restrict the op-
eratons of the gunners. II is also proposed to in