The Hartford republican., 1913-07-25
Saving OUR
WARsHIPS
WillRestore History Making
Naval Craft.
Spanish War Steel Vessels Deter
iorate More Rapidly Than
Wooden Vessels.

Uncle sam is al least TO take steps
TO restore and preserve a number Of
historic warships craft that
constitute the most vivid reminders
of some of the most significant
events in the history OF the republic
Some folks who have been under the
impression that these precious me-
mentoes have been duly safeglaried
all along may think that this is raih-
er late day to provide for the per
peiuation of our most valuable ohSsc;
lessons in patriotism. And 50 il is,
in fact, but there are several ex-
plantations Of this tariiness.
For the fighting, il is only recently
that the most famous Of these time
honored fighting ships became 50
sorely in need of repairs tina, il Is
evident that something must De done
TO save the historic hulls- So hong as
the old ships showed no signs Of
falling TO pieces that spirit o. pro
crastination which rules governments
as well as individuals allowed the
matter 10 res. and We went on pre-
serving historic buildings in al parts
of the country and treasurins up all
manner of historic relics but giving
never a thought seemingly, 20 the
most interesting Of all the souvenirs
Of the republics development 10 the
status OF a world power.
Another Circumstance thai explains
why this subject has only nov be
come a matter Of serious considera-
tion is that il is only very lately
that the ravages Of time have be
come manifest in certain modern
ships whc;h il is desirable should De
preserved for posterity. Reference is
made 10 the American armorclAds
that figured conslicuously in the
Spsnish-Americz nwar,-notably Ad-
mriA Dswey's flagship. These YES
sels-AN steel ships Of the new navy
are Of much more recent date than
the old, wooden ships Of the line"
which ordinarily come omind when
We speak O, historic warships. bu1.
as il happens, steel shiIR oeterior-
ale much more rapidly than do wood
en- craft, and thus II CONES about
that the iatter-day metal warriors
show q pressing need OF preservz-
sir1 r-,1.s,rss srE- - 80. ,;-,. 49,
the marks Of old age are making
themselves especially apparent in the
old wooden vessels, some Of them
built considerably more than a Cen
tury ago.
Quite aside from the physical de- !
crepitude Of these veteran fighting
craft there is another factor which 1
has lately been injected into the
situation and which makes the ques-
ion OF the preservation Of these old .
liners, legislative. We might also
say a political, issue. This ADDED in
1uence is due 10 certain laws which
lave been pessed by Congress In
rider 10 guide the Secretary OF the
Navy in the administration of his
department. Of the national govern
nent These laws make j. incumbent
lpon the head OF the navy depart
ne1I o; sell any and all useless and
'osoltee vessels when the esmuiaed I
,cs; OF their repairs sTe in excess ot
o per cent for ooo n vessels and
q per cent for iron : q steel vessels
Z the estimated COS; OF . rev snip ;
4 the same size and lke material. |
20 illustrate how this restriction !
Souk wok out in the case Of several |
4 the vessels which IL i most W
entity desired 10 save, Il may be cit
d thA, under the Law the limit Of
xpeDditure on the famous old ship
would be sec. Gee On ,
be Portsmouth ~ 500 would be the
utSide figure allowable. whereas in !
he case Of Admiral Dsweys old flag !
hip. the Olympia IA s.sel yesseD an ]
utlay Of s3ee.eoe would te sAnczio1-
d. In no instance would the sum !
llosed be sufficient 10 puS the cr.ft q
D enduring from for the benefit of {
utnre gener1Iions. a
The preseoG pro,ecs concerns pr5- |;
aarily the rehabiiitAfioa of the Con- 4
bet Portsmouth, and The /,
lyupSA- With these essek perms- q
emily provided for. Unrss sADs COL
'ctsoa Of nenensoa of victory on
70 higA sesx yoe1d De nn6Duaoi
'oplets. Heading the li2-, IN popp-
y inleress. perhaps. 10 tAs Aassopnd.
dniral Txrsguts fanoo 1AsBAip-
his SeDe, ID ya IN srsfve sevice.
'ins duty - . station ship q The
ksraeston Navy Yard. and In q re- 4
~ submitted 70 the Secretary - q
'e Mary, . short time ses. = - saa<- q
that IN investissrioa - disrAassd
~ tins sh,p eAn. visA eonasianAl a
nali rspsirx. be kegs in hsr psssenx
'ndiclon alnoDe tn6efs1Raay. R<