Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-24
EYGLAND'S NEW CRUISER.
Plans Of the "Prsiecieo" nerseT and What
10 Expected Of Her.
rPau-Nan Gazette

u eL-AAn1 1eeN'~sI
AT Chatham Lady Key, wife of Ad-
miral Sir A. Cooper Key. Lord Com
missioner Of the Admiralty. viii per-
form the ceremony of christening and
launching the new fast twin-screw
protected " corvette Mersey, one Of
the first Of the new cruher class Of war
vessels built in a Government yard.
So far a the details Of the internal fit
ments Of the Mersey 90, il is. in her
present incomplete condition, imposSi-
bic to speak, but of the main struc-
tural characteristics Of the vessel
the following description viii suffice to
convey q general idea Of the lines upon
which she has been built Following
somewhat closely the water-tight-hull
principle Of Admiral Sir 6. Sartorius's
Polyphemus, the huh Of the Mersey is
hexagonal in shape, formed Of steel, the
horizontal plates being two inches in
thickness. and on the four slopes three
inches, the latter being further protect
ed on all four slopes by ample coal
spaces" OF bunkers, which serve the
double purposes Of fuel stores and ex-
ira armor-plating. Within this strongly
protected F" hull are placed all the
vital attributes Of the ship-name-
", engines. boilers, magazines, and
steering apparatus. In the event of the
whole Of the upper OF superstructure
decks being demolished by al enemy's
fire the dismantled vessel could be kept
under way, and under ordinary favora-
bic circumstances run into port. On
the upper deck is q nIne-inch Armor
steel-faced coming tower; the bull
warks are higher than usual. and Of
half-inch plate: the bays" between
the gun stations are especially adapted
TO afford shelter TO the gunners. and by
the stowage Of hsmmocks, sails, and
spare geer IN the bays" additional
protection against shell is secured. The
capstans are so constructed as TO be
worked either by steam or manual
power. The after part Of tins deck is
zpportioned to the officers cabins, and
right aft il q six-ipch breech-losding
stern-chsser capable Of being employed
on each broadside and Of sweeping the
keel line. On the main deck are cap
tain's saloon, officers quarters, torpedo
ports, pumps, etc. tongentiAl plates
being furnished TO the boiler and en-
gine-room OPENINGS on this deck.
For vessel Of this class the arma-
inent Of the Hersey may not. TO the
mind Of . practical Artillerist. be
deemed rs in any degree supsrhuous /;
considerable notifications will, how
ever, IN all probability be made be-
fore the ship Is sent to sea. The fol-
lowing is a statement Of her armament
Two s-inch and ten 6-inch breech-lOad-
ing guns; one s-pounder boat and field
gun one 7-pounder gun SIX l-inch
Nordenfeldt and two .45-inch Gardner
guns. in addition 10 which White
bead torpedoes viii be carried
for discharging above and below
water Oh each brosdside. The semi
circular protuberations on the vessels
side-two on each side--are steel
= loading stations 4" for working the
nachine-guns On the upper deck. The
principal dimensions Of the vessel, nc
eording TO The official measurements,
are: Length between the perpcndlcu'
lars, 500 feet: breadth extreme. A.
feet; draught Of water forward Is feet
aft, 70 feet 6 inches; mean. IL feet
inches The load displacement Is est
mzfed at 1900 tons. The engines
are IN two sets, one on each side o
the ship. and are Of the hori
xoutsl compound order Of 6.0oo indi
Gated horsepower. and VIII be supplies
by Msssrs. Humphrey { Tennent. th'
well-known marine engins-inakers
There are two propellers. computed q
he able 10 maintain speed Of IL.
knots per hour. The authorized com
picment Of Goals il 500 tons
and accommodation has been pro
yided for 800 officers and men