The United States Navy.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1886, Page 5

The United States Navy.

Commodore Montgomery Sicard, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance of the United States Navy Department, in his annual report submits estimates for the expenses of the next fiscal year as 3,408,842 dollars. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is asked for general expenses, a torpedo Station, purchase of a torpedo boat and automobile torpedoes; 207,000 dollars for ordnance outfit of the Miantonomah ; 866,000 dollars for outfits of the Puritan, Terror, Amphitrite, and Monadnock; 878,770 dollars for the armament of four new vessels authorised at the last session of Congress. Then follow reports of the results of trials of cannon and experiments with foreign and domestic powders, the comparisons showing favourably for American powder. Experiments with shells are also reported. Under the heading, " Armament of New Vessels," the report has the following:—" Since the last report five 6-inch and two 5-inch breechloading, high-power steel guns were completed at the Ordnance Department of the Washington Navy Yard. They perform satisfactorily, and several will be mounted on the Atlanta when ready to receive them. Nineteen sets of steel forging for 6 inch breech-loading rifles made by the Midvale Steel Company, passed inspection, having one set to be still delivered. The forgings for 8-inch guns, to be machined by these companies, have just arrived from Sir Joseph Whitworthand Co., Manchester, England. Two additional chase rings for each of the 8-iuch guns of the Atlanta and Boston have recently been ordered from the Midvale Steel Company, and are yet to be received. The broadside carriages of the Atlanta and Boston are all finishud and the barbette carriages are being pushed a3 rapidly as possible. The search light outfits are well received." Commander Sicard adds: "The third-rate ships last built are good sea boats, and in most important respects good examples of the best class of wooden ships. They, will last some years, and must be depended upon to do most of the work of the navy until a sufficient number of new sbips aie built. So it appears desirable that they should receive that armament, as the impression that they produce without it is slight. Thero are eight of the class referred to, but'the Bureau, has Bubmitted estimates for Bix." The report embodies a letter from the Inspector of Ordnance, in charge of the proving ground at Aonapolis, setting forth the unsuitability of the position fora proving ground. The Bureau has caused to be made three automobile torpedoes on the design of Captain John T Howell, of tho United States navy. The purchase of a swift torpedo boat from one of the celebrated makers abroad is again urged aa a model.