SECRETARY MEYER'S REPORT additional regiment of marines and the armored cruiser California to the scene. The Glacier, with provisions, and the Prometheus and Saturn, with coal, were also dispatched there, followed finally by the Colorado and Cleveland, thus bringing the force to a satisfactory strength for keeping open communication with Managua and Granada, for protecting the lives and property of Americans and other foreigners, and for maintaining an adequate legation guard. The commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet arrived at Corinto on August 28 and took complete charge of military affairs in the western part of Nicaragua, controlling the land operations of the bluejackets and marines as well as the duties performed by the ships in patrolling the coast and preventing filibustering. The Clevelan reached Corinto September 14, being the last ship to arrive there, and her landing force was at once sent ashore, bringing the number of bluejackets and marines. ashore in Nicaragua to a total of about 2,350. These combined forces were diligently and expeditiously employed in opening the railroad from Corinto to Managua, and later to Granada, and it is certain that their effective services assisted immeasurably in restoring tranquility in Nicaragua and in relieving the deplorable conditions of privation and hunger that resulted in several localities from the operations of the rebel forces. Unfortunately it became necessary to use armed force in order to dislodge a band of revolutionists from the Barranca, a fortified position consisting of two hills near Masaya, between which the railroad passes, and from which the revolutionists controlled and threatened the railroad and held Masaya in a state of pitiable destitution. A short but gallant assault succeeded in overcoming the resistance; in the assault four of our men were killed and five wounded. This occurred on October 4, and on the same day five marines were slightly wounded in a skirmish at Chichigalpa. On October 6, while an American detachment was entering Leon to occupy the town, some resistance was encountered, and our loss amounted to three killed and three wounded. The loss of seven killed is most deplorable, but the operations in which these lives were sacrificed were necessary in fulfilling the very evident obligations of this Government, and it is doubtful if the results in the interest of humanity could otherwise have been obtained. With the surrender of General Mena to Rear Admiral Southerland and his deportation from the country, followed by the death of General Zeledon, the revolutionary movement quickly subsided, and by the latter part of 11 October practically normal conditions obtained throughout the country, although it was deemed prudent by our Government to keep a considerable force ashore at various important centers until after the presidential elections in Nicaragua in November. The department feels gratified over the success attending this carefully planned campaign, and has noted with pleasure that the forces of the Navy and Marine Corps engaged in these operations ashore, under frequently very trying conditions, have by their conduct lived up to the best traditions of the Naval Service. These operations again demonstrated the necessity for properly designed and equipped transports for the use of the Navy. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Secretary Meyer's Report for the fiscal year 1912 is divided into five main subjects: Administration, the Fleet, Inspection and Material, Navy Yards and Stations, and Personnel. Under "Administration" is grouped a review of the work of the Aids to the Secretary and the results of their work; an earnest recommendation for the establishment of a Council of National Defense; recommendations for the distribution of work coming under the old Bureau of Equipment; and a suggestion that the various bureaus of the navy be united in one building. The section on "The Fleet" details the various activities of the fleets during the year, an outline of the proposed new construction, and gunnery, engineering work, and aviation. "Inspection and Material" shows the progress of work on new vessels, and includes the subjects of powder, torpedoes, fuel, radiotelegraphy, etc. Under "Navy Yards and Stations" is given a résume of the work done at the various yards; a description of the progress on the new docks; the Panama Canal; the docking facilities of the government docks; and suggestions for the closing of certain navy yards and coaling stations no longer needed. The part of the Report devoted to "Personnel" discusses the proposed Personnel Bill, the Naval War College, the Naval Academy, and the Naval Militia and proposed Naval Reserve. A plea is made for the re-establishment of the grades of Admiral and Vice-Admiral. THE AIDS After reviewing the important and successful work of the Aids to the Secretary, the need of providing by law for these assistants is again pointed out, as, from three years' experience, "The usefulness of the Aids in securing economical results by good administration in the Navy Department is beyond question." COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE A Council of National Defense is strongly recommended, as follows: What the Navy is striving for is to get the highest possible efficiency and preparedness for war. It is felt that a council of national defense will be an additional benefit to the Navy and to the Nation. It will in a way be a vehicle between the department and Congress. In order to have success, there must be efficiency. To have efficiency, there must be a definite policy; to bring about a definite policy, there must be cooperation and coordination of Congress, the Army, and the Navy. To obtain this cooperation, there must be an intelligent understanding between the legislative and the executive authorities. The proposed council of national defense should be made up of two Cabinet officers, four Senators, four Congressmen, two Army officers, and two Navy officers. It would seem that this council would tend toward and result in a better understanding and in a definite policy. The passage of a bill creating the council of national defense is strongly urged, as the establishment of this council will have far-reaching and beneficial effects. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT The electrical duties of the old Bureau of Equipment having been handled satisfactorily for three years by the Bureau of Steam Engineering, it is not considered necessary to have another bureau for electrical work. THE FLEET The report of the work of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic Fleets is given in another part of this number of THE NAVY, under the heading, "Fleet Operations During 1912." THE NEW YORK MOBILIZATION Mr. Meyer credits the success of the mobilization to the "practical business methods in the navy." He gives a detailed account of the Mobilization, and sums up the new vessels at the review: technical bureaus of the Navy Department, and were built in American shipyards, of American material in all respects. . . Both the Wyoming and Arkansas were constructed in less than three years from the date of contract to date of actual commissioning ready for mobilization, and but two years and eight months elapsed between the laying of their keels and their final completion. The new torpedo-boat destroyers are oil burning, of the type which has been developed so successfully for the United States Navy, and are armed like the class immediately previous to them, represented by the McCall, Burrows, and Mayrant. This type of destroyers has shown itself particularly well suited to service conditions, and their seaworthiness and stanchness were more than amply demonstrated since the last review in the severe January hurricane. In the case of the Warrington, due to collision with a schooner, some 40 feet of the stern was cut off, including rudder and propellers, and yet the boat was safely brought to port and all on board saved. The submarines are a development of the submarines previously in use in the United States Navy, with increased displacement, speed, and radius. The seagoing tugs are specially designed for use at target practice and for tenders to the fleet, requiring unusually rugged and seaworthy craft. The new collier is of the general type of the Cyclops, specially designed for fleet work in peace and war, and for handling at maximum rates large volumes of coal to the ships of the battle fleet. This type of vessel, of which there are now seven built or building, carries 14,000 tons of cargo and bunker fuel. They have proven eminently successful, and in the recent visits of United States squadrons to foreign waters attracted much attention and favorable comment. RESERVE FLEETS During the year,, two reserve fleets have been organized: the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, established at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, on May 1, under Rear Admiral Austin M. Knight as commander-in-chief; and the Pacific Reserve Fleet, on the Pacific Coast, under command of Rear Admiral Alfred Reynolds. "As an example of the preparedness of the Reserve Fleets, the Tennessee and Montana were ready to sail on November 11, on the voyage from Philadelphia to the Mediterranean, about seventy-two hours after receiving orders." Battleships Torpedo-boat destroyers Submarines: -Continued. E-1. Utah. Florida. Patterson. E-2. Jouett. F-1. Torpedo-boat destroyers: Jenkins. F-2. Mayrant. Fanning. Collier: Walke. Neptune. Total tonnage of vessels delivered, 69,120. EIGHT-HOUR RESTRICTION. In order to place contracts for battleships No. 36 and No. 37 as provided for in the naval appropriation bill dated March 4, 1911, it was necessary to accept bids which materially modified the plans and specifications as originally adopted by the department. The fact that no bids were received in strict accordance with the plans and specifications is undoubtedly due to the application of the eight-hour restriction to these ships. In order to place the contract for colliers No. 9 and No. 10, the appropriation for which included the application of the eighthour restriction, it was necessary to accept certain modifications of the department's plans and specifications which were complied with in the contract for colliers No. 11 and No. 12, which were let at the same time, but not under the provisions of the eight-hour restriction. It has also been noted that in a certain bid received for miscellaneous minor craft the bid was made conditional on the nonapplication of the eight-hour restriction. These circumstances indicate that the general application of the eight-hour restriction to all ship contracts will cause an increase in the appropriations necessary to obtain vessels of the same characteristics as formerly. PROPOSED NEW CONSTRUCTION Under this heading, attention is called to the now thoroughly recognized fact that "Nowadays only socalled Dreadnoughts and battle cruisers are considered in estimating naval strength," and the warning is given that in a few years, even if the other powers do not increase their present programs, "if Congress authorizes only two capital ships every year," the United States will have dropped to fourth place on the list. The need of a continuing naval program is pointed out: A total of 41 battleships, with a proportional number of other fighting and auxiliary vessels is, in the opinion of the Secretary, the least that will place this country on a safe basis in its relations with other world powers. This number should be reached as soon as practicable and then the fleet should be kept up to its standard strength by replacing obsolete vessels with new ones by a uniform yearly replacement program. The mobilization of the fleet demonstrated the need of battle cruisers and of smaller vessels, such as scouts, destroyers, gunboats, submarines, colliers, and ammunition ships. The department distinctly recognizes the value of torpedo craft and submarines. It would be glad to have more of them, but it is of the opinion that until more of the old battleships are replaced it is wiser to provide for battleships than to sacrifice battleship strength for vessels of less military value. While only three battleships are included in the estimates for this year, the department feels that the deficiencies of the fleet in other types of ships should be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the General Board. This board has furnished annually since 1900 a consistent and continuing program. Recommendations of General Board. (a) 4 battleships. (b) 2 battle cruisers. (c) 16 destroyers; 1 destroyer tender. (d) 2 transports. (e) 1 ammunition ship. (f) 6 submarines; 1 submarine tender. (g) 1 supply ship. (h) 2 gunboats. (k) 2 seagoing tugs. (1) 1 dry dock. (m) 1 submarine testing dock. NOTE. The board recommends the conversion of the Prometheus into a repair ship, and if this is approved one fuel ship should be provided for the building program to replace the Prometheus. It recommends also the conversion of the cruiser Baltimore into a mine transport, the San Francisco, a sister vessel, converted to this purpose having proved sufficiently useful to warrant the expenditure necessary to convert the Baltimore. (a) Battleships.-These will simply replace four battleships which will be 20 years old in 1914, and will then have to be withdrawn from the second line. They will not constitute a numerical increase in the present strength of the fleet. (b) Battle Cruisers.-The United States has no vessels of this type. These vessels have a military value not possible to obtain from other types or combinations of types. To further neglect their necessity is to deliberately weaken our naval strength. The paramount need of the Navy is, however, for battleships, and the board does not recommend any modification of the building program by which preference in building is given to battle cruisers or other fleet units, and auxiliaries, which will interfere with the ultimate battleship strength. (c) Destroyers.-[The General Board advocates the policy of four destroyers for each battleship, and tenders in the proportion of one to sixteen destroyers.] (d) Transports.-The Report says: The only vessels at present available for such duty are the Prairie and the Buffalo. The former is now 22 years old and the latter 20. Both are single-bottom ships and entirely lacking in water-tight subdivision, having been originally designed as freighters. They further lack many things absolutely necessary for the health and comfort of officers and men on large expeditions. The embarkation of a force of only 750 men with the necessary impedimenta is attended by the most insanitary crowding. Nevertheless, since the close of the Spanish War these ships have been constantly engaged in transporting men on foreign stations, expeditionary forces of marines, and naval militia. Since 1900 there have been, for instance, not less than 24 expe ditionary forces of marines dispatched to various parts of the world. From 1909 to 1911 there were transported in the Yankee and Dixie a little more than 20,000 men. During 1911 the Prairie made seven trips with enlisted men and two with marine regiments. The Buffalo made two trips to the Asiatic Station, one trip with a marine regiment and one with naval militia of California. The need for transports is considered sufficiently urgent to warrant the omission of fuel ships for one year. The program contemplates the construction of ammunition ships in the ratio of 1 to 8 battleships and 4 battle cruisers; submarine tenders, one to about six submarines; one modern supply ship for each eight battleships; the construction of two gunboats yearly; four additional sea-going tugs; and the construction each year of one wrecking and testing dock for submarines, two such docks being needed for the Atlantic, and one each for the Pacific Coast, Hawaii, Panama, Guam, and the Philippines. It is particularly unfortunate that the small limit of $20,000 is placed on aeroplane machinery this year, because experience shows that each aeroplane used for instruction requires two motors to carry on the work effectively. This of course will be impossible under the present limit, as the expense of repairs is also comparatively great. It is requested that Congress remove these limits and thus permit the expenditure of as much as is necessary to continue progressive development and adaptation as rapidly as circumtances permit, with due regard for economy. The plan is to restrict the shore establishment as far as possible, to place a few machines on shipboard at the earliest practicable date for test, and then to carry on the instruction in the fleet in a systematic way. Naval aviators have demonstrated that hydro-aeroplanes can be readily flown at altitudes of 3,000 feet or more, where they are practically immune from rifle fire, and that the hydro-aeroplane is suitable for long flights. They have been the first to demonstrate that it is practicable to send aeroplanes in flight from ships, that it is possible to hoist them in and out like a ship's boat, and that it is possible to carry on instruction from a ship, using the water as an aerodrome. The work in progress indicates that they will soon be able to leave the ship in flight without more trouble or preparation than is required to discharge a torpedo from an upper deck and to continue in flight with the machine automatically controlled and comparatively safe. GUN MOUNTS The triple-gun mount has been tested at the naval proving ground and, subject to minor modifications, is satisfactory. The manufacture of the four mounts for the Oklahoma and Nevada is well underway. This type of mount will be adopted for the four turrets of the one battleship appropriated for at the last session of Congress. The 14-inch Mark I mounts for the New York and Texas are nearing completion, and the entire turret design for these vessels is a decided improvement on previous designs. The 14-inch Mark I mount will be installed in the two-gun turrets of the Oklahoma and Nevada. Norfolk, Va., 1 fuel-oil tank.. 700,000 700,000 700,000 Charleston, S. C., 1 fuel-oil tank. Subaqueous Tests.-Tests have been made to establish the relative efficiencies of coal stored for one year under water, under shed, and in the open at New London, Conn. There remains sufficient coal in these various storages to allow a continuation of annual tests extending over a period of 10 years, and it is proposed to carry out these tests, so that positive and definite conclusions may be drawn on a question which in the past has been a matter more of speculation and opinion than of conclusive experimentation. Reservation of Coal and Oil Lands for the Navy.-The department, in conjunction with the Department of the Interior, has taken steps to have set aside coal-bearing lands in the Matanuska and Bering River districts of Alaska. This coal is of excellent quality, accessible, and can be transported by rail to the coast for shipment. The increased use of oil fuel and the fact that coming battleships will burn oil exclusively has led to a need for this fuel. There is abundant oil in the Government lands of Alaska, California, and Oklahoma, and the department is negotiating for the transfer of some of these lands to the Navy, having secured one area in southern California by Executive order that, according to the estimates of geological experts, will produce 250,000,000 barrels of fuel oil. With the completion of the Panama Canal this oil can be transported to the Atlantic coast reservoirs at great saving to the Government over the present price of oil fuel. The addition of five oil-burning destroyers and increased use of oil by battleships fitted to use it has necessitated an increase in the annual contract, and additional tankage will be installed immediately at the present stations. RADIOTELEGRAPHY Improvements in the radio equipment of the fleet and shore stations as regards increased range and prevention of interference during the past fiscal year have been made as rapidly as the appropriations permitted. The purchase of new radio apparatus conforming to the latest requirements is expensive, but the marked gain in efficiency makes such changes imperative. The high-power station at Arlington, Va., is now in operation, and messages have been exchanged with Key West and Colon. It is the first of the proposed chain of high-powered radio stations, the others to be erected on the Isthmus of Panama, on the coast of California, in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and SaValuable results as regards the control of the fleet at sea and widespread dissemination of time signals and storm warnings can be obtained when these stations are erected. moa. The Navy Department is maintaining 41 shore stations and 6 stations on light vessels. An expedition is now in Alaska modernizing and improving the older stations there and erecting a new station on the island of Unalga. The chain of Alaskan coast stations is, in conjunction with the inland Army stations, of great importance commercially, as an alternative of communication in case of breakdown of the cable or land telegraph lines. As Congress has enacted legislation regulating radiotelegraphy and making obligatory the opening of certain designated naval radio stations to paid commercial business, the radio work and expenses of the department will be largely increased. It will be necessary to modernize and improve the apparatus of coast stations so that the commercial work may be successfully handled. It is expected, at the outset at least, that much of the burden of inspection for adjustment of commercial stations will fall upon this department. But the added work will undoubtedly prove an incentive to increased efficiency and will bring the naval stations into closer touch with commercial companies and their methods of operation, which, it is hoped, will mean a better appreciation of each other's work and cordial coöperation in regulation and the minimization of interference. All new ships commissioned within the year have been provided with modern apparatus, but is has not been possible to properly equip the entire fleet because sufficient funds were not available. |