Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-28
I'd EDITION.
Latest TeleglanS to The Star.
FOR the NEW NAVY,
The Hulls Of Two New Vessels
Launched on the Delaware TO.daY.

CHnsrFR Pa, April %.
The gunboat Yorktown and the dynamite
cruiser for the new Navy were launched to-day
from Cramps ship-yard. The launching was wit
messed BY Thousands OF people. The spectators
included Secretary whitney and a large party OF
members Of Congress, Federal offlcals and news
paper correspondents from washington.
The two trains Of Pullman cars from Washing.
ton, bearing Secretary whitney and party TO wit
ness the launching, arrived at Washington street
wharf u few minutes before 1 O'Clock this after
The distinguished party were at once taken on
board the steamer Columbia, where they were re-
ceived BY the city oflcials and prominent citizens.
collation. was served on board the steamer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE vRssRLa
The launching OF the two vessels above noted
forms an epoch in the history OF modern naval
warfare. The success OF the dynamite cruiser
The cruizer has length OF 246 feet with q beam
plans and her displacement Is 700 tons Her en-.
g1neS will be OF the latest triple expansion type
with twin screws, designed for $50 horse power,
which is expected to give a speed OF 20
Knots Knots per hour There win be four cyin,
each each ,S she Is very lightly built but
ana nght dralght TO choose her own time for
feet in length, fixed in position side by Side, and
they Will really be built into the ship. They will
project above the deck at an angie, and the shells
to be thrown by them will weigh 200 pounds In
firing the guns II will be necessary TO move the
vessel IN taking aim. The officers quarters will
De right ait, while the crew will be forward, In
the usual manner, the amidships OF the boat being
taken up with the appliances for loading and firing
the guns, machinery, coal-Space, and stores. The
galley and coming tower are on the upper deck.
The gunboat Yorktown, or as she Is more com.
monty called, "Gunboat No. l." is an armored
steel cruiser OF 700 tons displacement her length
Is 2lO feet beam 80 feet, with draft Of about l3
feet forward and Is feet aft. There will be twin
screws with triple expansion engines Of the latest
improved type designed tor a horse power Of
1900 with natural, and 2 300 with forced draught,
and IL Is expected that she will make a speed OF
IL knots.
Although not armorplated on the sides she is on
the deck. The coming tower will be armored
with tWo-inch steel plates and will be on the fore
castle. The rig VIII be that OF a three-masted
schooner, and she will spread about 5000 square
feet Of canvas. While she will not be OF much
utility under sail power so far as speed is con-
cerned, there will be great saving OF coal, her
capacity being but four hundred tons. Her arma.
ment Will consist OF six Six-inch steel breech-
loading rifles, firing shells weighing 100 pounds
The launching OF the vessels was under the di.
rectiOn OF Secretary Whitney. All the arrange
ments were made yesterday, and in greasing the
ways over 1000 pounds or tallow were used. The
shpyards, both before and during the launching,
were thrown open to the public, and the 200 en-
pl0yeS were given a holiday