In 1898, twenty years ago, the first sixteen destroyers were authorized
for the United States Navy. These were less than half the size of our
present destroyers, and yet their average time from the laying of the
keels to launching was almost exactly two years. During the ten years
prior to our entrance into the present war Congress authorized an
average of five or six destroyers a year. The records show that in the
construction of these the average time on the ways was almost exactly
eleven months, the total time of construction being about two years.
[Illustration: REAR-ADMIRAL LEIGH C. PALMER.]
[Illustration: VICE-ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. SIMS.]
[Illustration: JOSEPHUS DANIELS, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.]
[Illustration: ADMIRAL HENRY T. MAYO.]
[Illustration: ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. BENSON.]
[Illustration: REAR-ADMIRAL ALBERT GLEAVES.]
The average time on the ways of the numerous destroyers launched in
1917-18, is but little over five months, this being somewhat less than
half the average time under peace conditions. As many as 400 men were
employed in work on the _Ward_, and in preparing to establish the record
as much structural work as possible was prepared in advance, ready for
erection and assembling before the keel was laid. While this achievement
will no doubt remain unmatched for some time, it will none the less
stand significant as marking a condition that is general in naval
construction throughout the country, this applying to battleships and
other craft as well as to destroyers.
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