Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-10
1t Is Believed Committee Will
Recommend Construction of
Two DreadnaughtS and
-Four Battle Cruisers,
SCOUTING CRAFT TO
BE SWIFTEST IN WORLD
Great Improvements on Bat
tIeShipS Now Being Built;
Delay Fully Justified by
New Equipment.
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Washington, April 9.--The house
naval subcommittee on appropriations
will begin tomorrow on framing the
naval appropriation bill which in
cludes the administration half bill
lion dollar five-year program for new
fighting ships. Chairman Padgetb
hopes to lay the complete measure
before the house by April 25
/ While there are many legislative
features in the bill which will require
debate in the subcommittee and lat
er before the full committee, the
big fight is expected to come over
the 1917 program for capital ships
Secretary Daniels has recommended
The authorization of two dread
naughts and two battle cruisers. The
navy general board contended for
three battleships and four battle
cruisers.
Six Big Battlesliips.
Present indications are that the
subcommittee will compromise be-
tween the two views and recommend
two battleships and four battle cruis-
ers.
At the navy department work on
the designs of the new ships to be
authorized has progressed so rapidly
that much Of the delay heretofore
experienced in advertising for navy
c4aft VIII he eliminated. Plans FOR
the battleships, large and small sub
marines, destroyers, gunboats, NOS
ptal ships, and ammunition ships,
are virtually completed now. 1t VIII
take only few weeks after appro-
priatton for the vessels is made to lay
specifications before private builders.
Time for New Designs.
plans for the battle cruisers nd
scout cruisers are also under way
but will take some time to complete.
These vessels and the S00-ton class
submarines which Secretary Daniels
has added TO his program are new
types for navy designers and II takes
time to work out details.
An illustration of the problems in
yolved became known today in re-
gard to designs for the scout cruis-
ers. The general board fixed thirty
knots an hour as the minimum speed
for these eyes Of the fleet.
Since designers took up the task
of planning the ships. however, they
have hit upon way to produce thir-
tv-five knot craft of enormous cruiS-
ing radius. AS now planned the
scouts will far outclass in speed and
range of activity anything ever plan
ned by the government,
The scouts will employ geared
steam turbines to attain high speed
sreat improvements Made.
Light power electric drive will be!
provided for cruising, the high pow
er turbine plants being idle until they
are needed for a swift dash. The re-
suit will be a tremendous coal-sav-
ing and great increase of range oil
action without increased size.
The 1917 destroyed also VIII be OF
thirty-five knot speed instead oil
thirty-two, the present standard.
Engineering officers of the navy
believe that delay in the construc-
ton OF battleships 40 and "a has
been more than justified by the in
creased protection against torpedo
attack worked out for them. II Is
confidently stated that they are fifty
per cent better defended below the
water line than any battleship now
afloat or projected This, in addi-
ton to the speed increase, is most
satisfactory to construction Objects
who urged that the designs be held
up pending the completion Of expert
mentg