Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 December 1896 — BROOKLYN IN COMMISSION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN IN COMMISSION.

Newest Addition to the Navy Turned Over to the Goverment. The fighting cruiser Brooklyn, the newest addition to the United States navy, was towed from Cramp’s shipyard to League Island navy-yard Tuesday, where she was formally placed in commission. Blowing of whistles, ringing of bells and the shouts of thousands gathered on the boats and docks marked her progress down the Delaware. After the commandant at the navyyard, Commodore Howell, had receipted for and taken possession of the Brooklyn for the United States Government Capt. F. A. Cook, Commodore Howell and the ship’s officers gathered on her deck and went through the ceremonies which formally placed the shin in commission. The flag of the Union was run up at her

masthead, the sailors were lined up for a salute to their commander and the Brooklyn was a part of the navy. Much of the provisions and furniture, as well as the ammunition for the guns, has been at the yard for some days, and it is expected that all will be in readiness to sail In about two weeks. The Brooklyn is an armored cruiser of the same general type as the New York. There are improvements of an important character, which will give her a big advantage in time of war over the sister ship. The cost limit, not including armor. Is $3,500,000, and the contract price $2,986,000. She is designed to have a minimum speed of twenty knots an hour, with a displacement of 9,150 tons. Four engines, which will work in pairs on the twin screws, furnish the tremendous power required. The battery of the Brooklyn .will comprise eight eightinch guns mounted in four turrets; ten five-inch guns mounted in sponsons on the gun deck similar to the four-inch guns of

the New York, and sixteen six-pound rap-id-firing machine guns. Although the full complement of men is 500, there is room for the accommodation of 1,000. In time of war this feature would be of tremendous value at distant stations, enabling a considerable reserve force of enlisted men to be carried for any squadron of which she may be the flagship. There are two evaporators and two distilleries on board which have a capacity or 10,000 gallons of potable water daily, and a refrigerating plant which will turn out 2,000 pounds of ice every twenty-four hours. Electricity will be used in lighting the new cruiser. The Brooklyn’s coaling capacity is 1,750 tons of coal, or 470 more than that of the cruiser New York. Two hoisting engines, each capable of lifting 1,000 pounds at the rate of 300 feet a minute, will handle the coal aboard ship.

THE NEW BROOKLYN.