Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1890 — OUR NEW WAR SHIPS. [ARTICLE]

OUR NEW WAR SHIPS.

They Will Embrace All the Best Features of Modern Naval Construction, The three battle-ships for which the present Congress has made appropriations embody all the best features of the most recent war vessels of the same type in England and France. They have the heaviest armor and the most powerful batteries that can be carried for their displacement of 8.500 tons. With a sea speed of fifteen knots, they carry coal enough to steam about 5,000 knots, their engines being triple expansion, capable under forced draught of developing 9,000 horse-power. They have four double ended main boilers, each one of which is in a separate water-tight compartment. The vessels are built on the bracket system, with a double bottom containing many subdivisions. Every approved device for the safety of the vessel and the health and comfort of the crew will.be found provided. The ship* are 332 feet long, 69 foot beam and 9,000 tons displacement at a draught of 24 feet. The main battery is four thirteen-ipch riflfes. with an auxiliary battery of four eight inch and four six inch gunsand a secondary battery of twenty six pounders and six one pounder rapid-fire guns and two Gatlings. In addition there will be a complete torpedo outfit of Hotchkiss or Hall torpedoes and an electric lighting plant with other electrical appliances. Each battle-ship will carry a complement of, 420 pen and 30 officers and when in commission t V

they will be fitted as flag ships and will probably be stationed on our own coasts, both in the Pacific and Atlantic. It is very problematical at present as to who will build them, as they are the largest vessels thus far proposed, and it is doubtful if more than one, or at most, two private firms have the plants equal to so great an undertaking.—New York Commercial-Adver-tiser.