Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-11-25
WHAT HE WANTS.
The Naval Constructor Makes Estimates
for Completing the Monitors.


WAsHINGToN, D. c., Nov. 17.-Chief
Naval Constructor Wilson, in his an
nual report. estimates for completing
the four double turreted monitors as
follows: For the Puritan, $685., 342;
for the Terror, 1927, 228; for the
Amphithite, $500, 584; for the Mon
adnock, $701 ,442. He also asks S.
100000 for building the hulls of new
steel vessels He submits his views
with regard to the dimensions and
characters Of the new vessels, which
he recommends shall consist of one of
1900 tons, one Of 2, 400, oneof 3, 900,
one of 5000, one of 1900 tons, and
two Of 5000 tons displacement. The
following are the dimensions and a
few OF the characteristics which he
mentions as required by these new
vessels:
The Z ,500-ton ship should be a sea-going
armored vessel 800 feet long by Ga feet in
breadth, and with q mean draft of "a feet.
1t should have g. covered gun deck, q main
battery equal to 4 ten-inch and 6 six
inch breech-loading rifles; a secondary bat
terry Of IA Hotchkiss cannon, and the nee
essarv number Of boat guns. and full
complement OF tOrpedoes to discharge both
above and below the water line. The bow
should be of modified ram shape, and
possess sufficient strength that the vessel
might be used as a ram. She should be
able to steam 16B knots per hour.
The 5,00O-ton ship (for belted cruiser)
should be 800 feet in length, with breadth
OF 81 feet, and a mean draught of 81 feet, 4
inches. 1t should have a covered gun deck
and a main battery equal to 2 ten-inch
and six-inch breech-loading rif1ed guns.
The secondary battery should consist Of
not more than fourteen Hotchkiss cannon,
and the necessary boat guns and torpedo
battery. 1t should be built of steel, and
possess sufficient strength to be used as a
ram, and have speed of liz knots.
The 3 ,6O0-ton cruiser should be 800 feet
long and 46 feet wide, with a mean draught
Of g feet inches; have q main battery of
2 eight-inch and 6 six-inch breech-ioaGing
rifles; full torpedo outfit, and a secondary
battery, OF s Hotchkiss guns; and speed
of Is knots.
The 2, 400-ton cruiser should be $50 feet
long, AZ feet in breadth, with mean
six-inch and five-inch breech-loading rifles;
a secondary battery of s Hotchkiss can
non; and speed of 15h knots.
The 2,OOOton cruiser should be 215 feet
long and 40 feet in extreme breadth, with a
draught of 16 feet. It's main battery
should be equal to s 6-inch breech-loading
rifles; it's secondary battery of Hotchkiss
cannon; and a speed OF IA knots.
The early completion of the double
turreted monitors for coast defense
as the best type of vessel for that pur-
pose is strongly recommended; also
the construction of two composite,
auxiliary steam-power, barque-rigged
vessels OF 800 tons, to take the place
of the old sailing sloops Saratoga,
jamestown and Portsmouth. Con-
structer Wilson describes the condi-
ton of the vessels of the navy at the
several yards, and submits estimates
of the amounts required to complete
the work of construction or of repair
which each requires. He recommends
the consolidation of work at onelarge
navy yard-preferably that at Phila-
deIphia.