154 OUR FIRST FRIGATES. 



to work now being done by members of this Society. Knowledge of history in all its phases 

 is useful in determining lines of conduct, and even in matters material, such as shipbuild- 

 ing, we can profit much by reading of the exploits of those who have gone before. I think 

 the experiences of other days ought surely to give us encouragement in our work of to-day. 

 We are all quite familiar with the cynic's criticism, that "things are going to the bow-wows," 

 as it were, and conditions are getting very much worse. Historical research, however, fur- 

 nishes good evidence that conditions are getting constantly better. I recall reading some 

 years ago an account by a noted Italian archaeologist, who described some of the difficulties 

 of the time of Michael Angelo when it was found that certain contractors had been in the 

 habit of taking pay for the highest grade of material and putting in the very cheapest mate- 

 rial that they could get past the inspector. Those particular contractors, when they were 

 detected, were visited not only with pecuniary, but with other punishment, but it shows that 

 such practices are not of recent origin. 



I also note with interest that General Knox, the Secretary of War, said: "I should find 

 great satisfaction in a contract if one upon solid price could be obtained." That statement 

 was quite prophetic, because you will note there were several additional estimates submitted 

 and additional sums asked for to relieve the Government and the contractors from the di- 

 lemma into which they had fallen. 



At foot of page 142 allusion is made to the vessels as follows : "It was contemplated 

 to make them the most powerful, and at the same time the most useful ships." That state- 

 ment, written more than one hundred years ago, has been typical always of the efforts of our 

 naval designers and those who subsequently command the ships — that is, to have the most 

 powerful batteries, and to have the most secure fighting platforms obtainable. In the naval 

 wars in which this country has been engaged, superiority of battery has always been a very 

 distinguishing feature. 



At foot of page 148 there is a little ancient history which is interesting to us even at 

 this date. Of course these vessels were very ambitious vessels for their day, and were 

 to have been completed within a comparatively brief period. Year after year passed by, 

 and it took about four times the time originally estimated. Unexpected delay has been 

 somewhat our own experience — not so exaggerated, of course, within the past thirty years. 

 However, for more than ten years past we have been building almost as rapidly as any other 

 country in the world. In the third paragraph on page 149, there is something which is espe- 

 cially significant. It says: "It may be proper that you should be informed that I am de- 

 sirous each of the frigates shall be furnished with both suits of sails of this country manu- 

 facture." That is a sentiment expressed more than one hundred years ago, which is very 

 much in the minds of all of you at the present time, a sentiment which I know appeals to 

 every one in this country, regardless of political affiliations. 



As a whole, gentlemen, the paper is well worthy of careful perusal, and I feel entirely 

 sure that you will authorize the President of the Society to convey your thanks to the Assist- 

 ant Secretary of the Navy for his painstaking care in preparing for us this most admirable 

 record of what took place more than one hundred years ago. (Applause.) 



Naval Constructor J. G. Tawresey, Member: — This paper, based on one of the 

 earliest chapters of the history of the Navy, is most interesting, and it contains lessons and 

 instructions that are applicable to-day. Admiral Capps has referred to some of the features, 

 the difficulties with estimates and the matters of delay. They are difficulties that are still en- 

 countered and are probably inseparable from the operation of shipbuilding. 



