New-York tribune., 1886-07-31
LOOKING FOR AUXILIARY CRUISERS.
THE NAVAL BoAHD MAKES IT'S FIRST REPoRr-THE
LOUISIANA II THE FIRsr RANK.

LOUISIANA II THE FIRsr RANK
WASHINGTON. July 3O.--Ihe first report OF
the board OF Navy officers who were ordered by Secre
tary Whitney jane II TO obtain list OF United states
merchant marine stcsi: vessels which, IN time OF heeu
might be caei upon once for service as auxiliary
cruisers Transports for special service was recoveu
to-day. when 1t WAS first suggested to the Navy De-
partment 10y the "Naval Bureau of Intelligence that
such Investigation WAS advisable, 1t was thonsht 'a
there were cw American iron steamships oil Iareet
capacity than 1000 tons. that the labor would ne COM
paravely light the Board OF Inspection OF FOR
eign Vessels York ordered to extend their
functions and to examine carefully the iron steamers OF
all classes In tho mercantile marine IN order 10 ascertain
and report upon their adapt.bty for tho service here
tOfore mentioned.
This board 10 composed OF Commodare phnle L.
Braine. Chief Engineer William W. Heaton, Lieutenant
William s. Cowlcs, and Naval Constructor George W.
Much. They have obtained list of lO2 American iron
steam vessels Of , 600 tons ant above measurement
whose home port is New-York and have enlisted the
interest Of shipowners in the scheme The preliminary
part OF the work. that OF obtainS the list OF vessels 10
be examined and prescribing rules under when INC
examination sho ild no made has required mnch labor
and just the work has fairly begun. the examination
OF one vessel the Louisiana. OF the Cromwell Lane. CON
peted Navy Department has found It necessary 10
Commodore Branc the president OF the poAr" 10
the command OF the south Atlantic Squadron Ills Is
TO regretted, since his successor Will require some
dore Branc who has so carciully ana thofouB"J i"'
on, his plan or procedure
Under instructions OF the Navy Department owners o'
the steam vessels have been Informed that "he names
vessels may hll the requirements indicated III
the Instructions given will be entered upon list u oH
known the Auxiliary Naval List. with the "lJect OF
employing vessels IN case the Government desires
the support OF mercantile 1cct The stine course
followed with regard L. tho examination OF me Lphls
ana viii be pursued with tho other vessels details OF
which description OF tho yes,el IN al ts uetHh
MIA af Dl.ii
holds including coal bGnkers-thcir capacity hhi
protection from the fire Of An enemy or other dancers
plan OF wAter-tight compartments "NiStnH or rop'-c
ran Of deck. showing how various ~ OF brcec chpa-
ing itn~s may be placed, Including me placing o Dreec
Of proposed strenghenrg o' dccSs and huls; plan OF
sweep pieces ports. shaving now the line 9" me
machine guns plan OF method for protecting machinery
aud boilers from broadsde sud rakng me; pan
Tas -, ~ !scn,,lcs; plan of hold for prov.ions
and stores plan OF protection FOR steering gear detas
OF coal and extra room for carrying coal
speed OF ful. aud half boiler powcri toni
distance covered at un speed burning a. the coa car
re IN hunkers, under half speed and under normal
CONSUMPTION - Goa. AMI tie -t'ue data |lth me pro
posed additional amount Of coil 70 he carried fInay
an cnameraon of al the articles necessary 10 oq''' '''
Te report OF TIE Board concludes that Lou'snss
strength OF hull construction. power, spcrl aud cph
consumption places her The frt raLk, ana Hupe.lo'
tn many of me r,' ass fore IN i0r the pnr
poses o, an auxiliary cruiser Tins mas seem sra thgr
stncr she was built hN John Roach a 20 ~. -hr J. an
on screw steamer 3is feet long 81 feet 2G cct
derth OF hold and a,Out 5000 measurement. ehr
Is FURNISHED with two pairs OF BalrFs cnnp"nh' ",,
anced engines the hich-prrssure cylinders be!ns go
inches diameter and feet inches stroke AMI th" o"-
Pressure cylinders 30 inches diameter and feet stroke
She has eight cylind"r fOur nests coun"ci eI
with one .eau supeI heater Her keel and stern
stern post frames beams hYors, reverse nArs, h''
bulkheais ami plating are unusually heavy ana the
wokman@hip ami materials OF tho hghcst quality
81. has water tilht hulkhesns np 20 man acc"
and four partial Tn" main aud lower decks arc "i
IroD Her average speed above required fourteen
knots having made seventeen AMI hai kno's an h"lr
for four hours aud She cpnd cTIy batter! OF sA 'o
/ ClI.lO