The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-03

These figures show, when compared with
the like facts in reference to some OF the last
unarmored vessels of the British navy, that
the iron-clads can make equal speed with the
wooden vessels, and while carrying less Goals
can keep at sea under full steam nearly double
the length of time and on nearly One-third
less consumption of fuel; 80 that while the
Monarch is the fastest iron-clad In the British
navy, she can keep at sea for longer time ON
q less amount of fuel.
CONSTRUCTION. IN
The bow of the Monarch is specially construc-
ted and strengthened to allow her to be used
as q ram, while provision is made for the pre-
vention of serious consequences should. she
sustain injuries while so employed. the spur
or ram may be completely knocked-of with
out endangering the main structure In the
least. She was built at the Chatham dock
yard, and cost about f55 per ton. The bills
footed up total outlay on labor and materials
sl75,5l3, or O total, with l2a per cent. on ac-
tual outlay at the dock-yard, of sl94, l52. She
is fitted out as full-rigged ship, and instead
of the ''trlpod" masts she has ordinary iron
ones. A light. lofty upper deck receives the
boats and affords passage for the officers
above the turrets. The running rigging Is
worked upon the upper deck, over which the
turrets have to fire, and consequently num-
ber of contrivances have been fitted to keep.
UOLu Iue SltuuluS duu IuliLiuS 1ls,SluS lolCio01y
clear of the guns. The standing rigging is of
iron wire, and when the ship goes into action
it is quickly trlced up, and the flying iron deck
Is topped up out of the way. An armored
pilot house Is provided, in which the comman--
der Is stationed in action, and by means of g.
system of telegraphy is enabled to communi-.
cate with the steering wheel, engines, turrets
and the batteries located at the extremites.
The Monarch, as well as other vessels Of the
British navy, Is fitted with gas works, and can
be lighted throughout with gas. She can be
steered by steam, with one man at the steer
ins machine, and variety of labor-saving
machines are distributes throughout the ship.
Among them are sevei. f Cameron's "Spe-
cal' steam pumps an American Invention,
which has found favor in Europe, and is now
being extensively adopted In the royal navy.
Some of the turret engines and machinery OF
the Monarch have been supplied by the agents
of the same inventor. Her accommodations
for officers and crew are complete, and she Is
ventilated in the most perfect manner. There
can be no question but that she Is the 'scrack
ship" OF the royal navy. Mr.. Reed says: 1T
Is hardly possible to fOresee In what way the
competition between guns and ships will ter
inmate; bnt having the experience we possess
of the successful accomplishment OF what only
q few years ago were regarded as tmpossibii-
ties in the construction of iron-clads, 1t would
be folly to attempt to set o limit to the results
that will be attained In the future. The admi-
rally have long been In possession OF design
for turret ship, with sides plated with IS
inch armor, and tllrrets with 18-inch armor.3.I
have also prepared outline designs, not on ex-.
travagant dimensions, to carry 20-nch armor,
both on broadsides and on turrets."