The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-07
They Will Have Enormous Weight,
the Heaviest Batteries and
Armor of Steel.
Each Must Have a Minimum Speed
OF Fifteen Knots An
Hour.
A Crew Of $50 Men and so Ohacers ON
Each ship.-Specincstions Re-
Quired.


three sea going coast line battle ships for
the navy, this being the first day the appro-
priation was available. The chief charac-
teristics of these three battle ships of about
eight thousand five hundred tons displaoe-
ment are set forth in the following circular
intended to guide the bidders who may wish
to compete for the contract: Under the ap-
preparation for the Increase of the Navy
act, approved June 80. 1880, provision is
made for these battle ships, which are
to cost, exclusive of armament, not more
than 81, 600 each. In the cost of arma-
ment is included, besides the guns, car
riages and ammunition, all armor of tur-
rets. barbettes, gun shields and armored
tubes, directly pertaining to the protection
Of the gums and loading positions, II ID
further provided that these vessels shall be
built under such provisions of the act of
Aug. 8, 1886, entitled IAN act to increase
the naval establishment" as refer to ma
terial for the vessels, engines, boilers and
machinery. save that in all their parts the
vessels shall be of domestic manufacture.
The department in advertising for these
vessels to be built bv contract invites pro-
posals under two classes, viz:
Glass l. For the construction OF the hull
and machinery, including engines, boilers
and appurtenances. complete in all respects
in accordance with the plans and speciaca-
tions provided by the secretary of the navy.
Glass 2. For the construction of hulls and
machinery, including. engines, boilers and
appurtenances, complete in all respects, in
accordance with plans and specifications
submitted by the bidder.
The following elements and qualities
must be obtained in the designs: The min
imum speed to be maintained for four con-
secutive hours, under conditions to be pre-
IhnlI I>x1% %tsnc nk0n Ne thn NOT
be not less than fifteen knots an hour. The
hull is to be of steel, not sheeted. The
framing is to be on the bracket system, and
there will be a double bottom extending
from armor shelf to armor shelf and fore
and aft,
The armor on the side for protecting the
water line will have a maximum thickness
of not less than eighteen inches and mean
depth of seven feet. The transverse armor
at the ends of the belt will be not less than
fourteen inches in thickness. The redoubts
and turrets will have armor not less than
seventeen inches thick. The side from ar
NOR belt to the main deck will be protected
by not less than five inches of steel armor.
Coal is to be carried back of this five inch
armor. An armored deck not less than
three inches in thickness is to extend fore
and aft from the ends of the armor belt
being curved down on each side to meet the
side of the ship below the water. Over the
side armor belt this steel will be not less
than two and three-quarter inches in thick
ness.
An improved water excluding material
equal to ''woodite'' or "cellulose' is to be
fitted along the sides fore and aft on the
slopes of the three-inch protective deck.
The battery to be carried is as follows:
Four 13-inoh breech loading rifles. with
breech loading rifles, with their mounts,
shields and equipments; four 6-inch breeoh
loading rifles, with mounts, shields and
equipments; sixteen 6pounder rapid fire
guns; six 1-pounder rapid fire gums and two
Gatlings, with all the necessary mounts and
shields therefor.
The 13-inch guns are to be protected by
armor not less than seventeen inches in
thickness. The axes of the guns are to be
not less than six feet above the deck and
due regard must be paid to interference of
fire and the effects of the blasts of the
various guns.
The 3-inch and s-inoh guns will be pro-
in addition by barbettes, or otherwise car
rying 4inoh armor for the 6-inch guns and
6-inch armor for the 8-inch guns, and the
ammunition Of the latter guns is to be sup
piled through armored tubes.
Twelve torpedoes will be carried. There
will be seven above water torpedo tubes.
two forward, ono aft and two on each
side.
The store rooms will be made to hold
three months provisions, with clothing
and small stores for one year. DistillinR
apparatus will supply fresh water, the allow
ance of wster to be carried to be enough to
last fifteen days, besides water for sanitary
purposes.
The electric lighting plant will consist OF
three units, each unit having an engine,
dynamo and combination bed plate. The
weight Of all fittings and stores Of the in.
stallation, including search lights. should
not exceed a total Of total of thirty tons.
At least 400 tons of coal must be carried
on a mean draught Of twenty four feet.
The detail of boats include one 33- foot
steam cutter, one 32-foot sailing launch
two 28-foot cutters. two 26-foot cutters, two
29-foot whaleboats, one 30 foot steam whale
boat, one 30-foot gig, two 20-foot dinghyf
and one balsa. The boats must be slowed
clear of the blasts of the guns, and two life.
boats must be 30 carried as to be rapidly
lowered under all conditions of weather.
One military mast will be fitted to carry
two tops. A coming tower armored with
O-inch armor is to be fitted.
The crew will consist of 430 men and &
officers.