New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-09
THE ARMORED BATTLE-SHIP TEXAS

A SUPERB "ALL-RoEND" FIGHTING VEssEL-PhE-
PARArIoNs FOR HER CONSTRUCTION BEGUN.
Norfolk, Va, April 2s.-Preparstions for building
the twn-screw armored batteship Texas at the Cos
port NorfollO Navy Yard, approaching completion
1t is now announced that the actual work of con-
structon will begin about August This is fortunate
decision as the Navy Department will thus be enabled
to put on largo force of workngmen without coming
into collision with the law which prohibits increas-
Ing the force Of Government employees within sixty
days of an election Already the erection of furnaces
and tool shops for the work on the new vessel Is
going on and were 1t not for the hitch about the plans
and details of the machinery for the new vessel actual
work her could be begun before August
Tho Government paid Mr.. william Johns, OF the
Barrow shpbullding Company, England, $4,000 for
the plans Of the new vessel she will be Of about the
same dimensions the Conqucror, of the British Navy
but it is claimed, viii be Improvement upon that
vessel in points Of protection range Of fire. and speed
"The Army and Navy Gazette" Of London recently
commented on the proposed Texas, as follows:
Mr.. Johnss remarks the fighting qualities OF the
ship he designed show that he has given much aen
ton to tho study questions which the other
papers principally devoted He has 1t were nrs
placed himself position of the ocer who might have
fight action and having decided how he would prefer
engage endeavored design the best ship for the
purpose without esening possible her nghtng
capacity supposng the action to take place other lines
than those he would prefer. Here, then we have an
architect having the OF his
opinions only with reference ships Of the future.
but the tactics the well II naval architect
In competing prize do this why is It that our
naval authorities having sh greater inducements do not
do also7 AZ Captain Grenfel says 1t seems evil
dent that the first necessity is clear and definite
nouncement the part Of the naval ocer as 10 the
mode in which future actions should be fought" Until
this DONE will always be in the economists
contention that IN profession Is there greater diver
pence than among and naval constructors 30
the best type Of war vessel"
From side elevation tho Texas Will resemble the
new cruisers--a clear-way forward and aft, with
superstructure amidshTs She will be Of the belted
tyne that IS with belt Of anor amdships to protect
tho vtsls Of the ship and under decks from the
ends OF the armor 10 tho extremitcs Of the vessel
Her dimensions will DO: Length, 200 feet; extreme
breadth Of beam, Ga feet inch; depth TO upperdeck
80 feet inches; drsught, 22 IL feet dspaco
nent $500 tons; indicated horse power, 5000;
imum speed II knots complement of officers and men,
BOO She viii have two masts ana TWO smoke pipes.
THE vital parts OF the vessel Will be protected by
steel armor belt twelve inches thick, two feet above
and four and 0ne-haf feet below the water This
win cover the engines boilers anu insgSznes; AZ
six inches thick extending dagonay across the vessel
There will also be backing OF wood SIX Inches thick,
behind which will be thcknesses OF Iron plating.
An armored deck will be worked over the arInOr belt,
soping from tho ends Of the oet 10 The DOW and
stern and will be three inches thick throughout Tho
lower parts of the turrets-one on the por sde Tor
ward and the other the staiboard sde AT ana tho
machinery for working the guns VIII 70 iIcioseu IN
armored redoubts twelve inches thick, backed by TX
inches Of wood and the turrets Will be plated with
12nch armor. There will also be an armored coming
tower, twelve inches thick placed forward on level
with the bridge with an armored tube eaoihs from IL
three inches thick.
The main battery VIII consist Of two 12-inch guns
mounted In the turrets, and six 6nch guns protected
by shields The 12inch guns will be placed en- echeon
10 give each fore and aft fire. 6nch gun VIII he
placed forward and aft on the same level as the
f2-nch having each a train Of 100 degrees The
other four 6inch guns will be mounted In sponsors
of tho main deck, two having train from directly
forward TO twenty-five degrees abaft the beam, and
two nom directly aft TO twenty-five degrees FORWARD
Of tho beam.
on the main deck tho secondary battery VIII con,
7milIimetre revolving cannons protected by and
one hafinch steel plating. Two Calling guns and two
87.miliimetre revolving cannon viii be placed on
the bridge deck, and two 1-poundeTs VIII be
placed on the flying bridge. Two Calling guns
with two 87-millimetre revolving cannon VIII be
mounted In the military mast tops to repol boarders
and torpedo boat attacks. Two 81 mllmere rapid
fire guns win DO fitted In the steam launches. The