The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-10-27
demonstrating the Navy.

The various sub committees of the naval advis-
ory board on construction, ordnance, equipment,
etc have submitted their reports to the board.
Plans for four classes of vessels have been sub
mltted. These vessels are regarded as the best
adapted to the needs OF the service. They are
styled III the report 10, IA, 3 and 10 knot ships.
The three first classes to be of iron, construct
ed Oh the most approved plans and are intended for
long cruises If necessary as ample space has been
allowed for engines boilers and bunkers. At the
same time they will be supplied with full sail pow
er, so that they may dispense with the steam mo-
tive power, and so husband their coal until neces-
Slty may arse, when steam may be put on either
IN chasing or retreating The 10 knot vessel is
designed for river work or for cruising IN shallow
waters. and will be constructed OF wood as that
has been found to be the best material for vessels
otthat class. The large or ID knot ship is to have
spar deck and carry "A or more guns consisting
OF - inch breech loading rifles and two four
inch rifles, the latter mounted on pivot carriages
on the spar deck and having direct fire fore and
ait, The French system, somewhat modified, of
platforms projecting from the sides OF the ship on
which the heavy rifles may be mounted. has been
adopted, thus giving wide range of fire The
engines are to be of the compound type with three
cylinders The boilers, cylindrical i'll form, are
designed to carry 50 pounds OF steam and the
bunkers will stow coal enough to drive the
ship with full power for six and a half days at a
rate Of - knots per hour tG course. with
ordinary steaming she keep the sea a much
longer time, and it is calculated, steamiGg at
the rate of ten knots she can readily cover a
distance of 4,50O miles Her model is a beau
titu one, combining speed with great carry
ing capacity She Will be }5S feet long, with 80
feet beam, ship rigged, and will have a four baded
propeller Her displacement will be about 1850
tons The II knot first class soop-o war will be
3l5 feet long and 45 feet beam and 1910 tons dis
placement She is an open deck ship, full rugged
Her armament will consist of II guns, 6 and inch
breech loading rifles The second class sloep otwar
will be 275 feet long and 10 feet beam, with 4 dis
placement of 3 026 tons. Her armament will con
slst of eight and inch Dreech loading Ties As
before stated, all Of these heavy cruisers will be
driven by compound engines of three cylinders
each. They will all have room enough for i'm
mense supplies Of coal and an abundance Of pro
visions together with ample quarters for officers
and men, and will, if built by Congress, add
now in about as weak condition as Its enemies
wood, is expected to be good | knot vessel I'M
der favorable circumstances They are especially
adapted to the China station, where an immense
deal of river navigation is expected by the smaller
vessels of the various squadrons in those waters.
The gunboat designed by the advisory board will
be 1913 feet long, % feet inches BEAM and about
10 feet draught of water. They are to be driven
by compound double-cylinder engines Of 30 esti-
mated horse power. and carrying 100 tons of coal
Their armament will be one inch breech-loading
rifle pivoted amidships, and two 30 FOUNDER rifles
mounted on the bow and at the stern They will
be schooner rugged, carrying topsail, and will be
handy under canvas The plans already prepared
are OF course only in outline, the details remain
ing to be worked out whenever the necessary an
thonty to build them is given by Congress