Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-10

ever hoated at Washington wharf When she
runs at high speed she looks like great gray
tOothpick on which some humps OF putty have
been stuck, ddrting through the water. which
= thrown astern in a huge wave that is larger
than that produced by some of the big river
boats The spray from her cutwater and bows
utshes up IN volumes, coming as far aft as the
forward smoke stack aud soaking all who stand
on her forward deck.
AT HER WHARF
The illustration presented herewith repre-
sents the Cushing as she lies at her wharf. She
has the appearance of sloping off aft, which is
produced by slight dip in her deck lines of
few inches. This Is done in order to allow a
sufficient rise at the bow to provide for the tor
pedO-dlsc harglng apparatus. which has not vet
been placed In the vessel. There is but little
OF her hull in sight, not more than two and
half feet Of side showing above the water line
when she Is loaded with her thirty tons of coal.
Both her bow and stern go down to the water
with a sharp angle, so as to give as much space
as possible inside Of her. All her lines are
sharp and slim, and she presents the least con-
celyable surface for direct friction. Her two
smoke stacks, which are rather fat, with the
narrow side forward, rake back at a consider
able angle.
CROWDED.
Small ventilator shafts and two or three
matches combine with the two coming towers,
one fore and one aft of the smoke stacks
to make the vessels deck look somewhat
crowded In fact crowded expresses the gen.
eral condition of things. Every inch of space
Is utilized. and below decks the arrangement is
simply wonderful. The vessel is 1873 feet in
length, Is feet in width and 10 feet from floor
to highest point of the deck. In the extreme
bow Is a water-ught compartment to insure
against sinking IN of collision. Immedi-
ately aft Is the torpedo ROOM where the cylin-
ders of destruction will be stored and into
which the breaches of the forward tubes will
be run. Here the tubes will be charged with
their missiles. the firing to be done from the
forward tower, lmme dlately above. The tor
pedO room Is also used as the forecastle. the
mems hunks folding up against the walls dur
ing the day. Immediately aft is the galley
with an extra steam cooker for use in rough
weather.
BOILERS AND ENGINE.
Then, in the middle or waist boat OF the
come the two boiler rooms, with the engine
room between them. Each OF the Thorny-
croft boilers is capable of standing steam
pressure of 26O pounds with safety. The two
engines are of the quadruple expansion type
and are models of construction. The space is
most lngenlOusly utilized IN order to accommo-
date the four cylinders, which use every
pound of power contained in the steam. There
are several smaller engines, pumps, &c, that
are fitted into the most surprising corners.
Att of the machinery and boilers come the
officers quarters. which are also fitted with
folding hunks. In the extreme end is another
collision bulkhead The coal is carried in
bunkers on each side. SO arranged as to give
protection TO the engines and boilers in an en-
gaSemenL They are filled through a series Of
circular ports closed with brass-hlnged covers
All the hatcLvays are provided with rubber
gaskets Oh the edges and are closed with screw
clamps. so as 10 make the vessel perfectly tight
If necessary. The roof of the coming towers
may be raised al pleasure from the sides of the
structures IN order TO give ventilation, but in
running at high speed the spray will enter the
aperture thus made and then the occupant
must depend for his air upon the open door
behind him.
A hight railing runs around the deck to in
sure against accident when the vessel rolls.
THE NAME OF The BOAT
The Gushing is named after the gallant
man who did such remarkable service in AIbe-
marie harbOr during the war sinking the
formidable rebel ram Albemarle il the face OF
seemingly impossible barriers and almost GER
tain death. He was, in way, the father OF
actual torpedo fighting in this country, and it
was considered proper that the new torpedo
boat should be named for him.
MADE DY The MICROSCOPY COMPANY.
The little vessel was constructed by the Her.
reschof Manufacturing Company OF Bristol,
RI, the name OF the company coming from
that Of the treasurer. the famous blind in
Nentor and boat builder, whose earlier marvel
the StIettO, has been purchased by the gov
eTnment The Gushing was contracted for in
March. ISIS. and was to have been completed
IL niteen months. but through unavoidable de-
laws the contractors were obliged to ask for an
extension OF time, which was granted The
prlce paid Was 50. $50. and besides this the
builders earned large premiums for extra speed
developed At the official run. which took place
threc months ago. The contract required her
TO make twenty-five knots OF paw penalties
above t"tu ty-three knots she earned premi-
am'. but below twenty knots she might be re-
ltcted She made all OF her requirements
without mIshap. AL of her ruas since the
trial have developed many excellent Qualities
hlcA as stanchuess III a wav, steadlness
~hlle rushing ahead at high speed and perfect
engine construction. IL l. not outside of the
range or probabilities that the runs she IL novV
taxing with the members OF the congressional
h@'@. committees may result in a feeling IA
VofaD4e TO more torpedo boats
her ARMAsaESr
She viii probably be given her torpedo tubes
- s1On as the naval board that ia now i,vos,;
eating the Howell torpedo has made it, renort
Tins torpedo is regarded as a sure success ana
will undoubtedly &c placed in the Cushing in
case Of favorable report Ii il auto,robiIa
the power coming from wheel IA inches IN
diameter IN the center Of the torpedo that is
set IN motion at an extremely high rata %
speed just before the bolt Is shot from the tnbe
! he torpedo Is elected from the tube by means
VI the explosion of about half pound Of gum
powder, arranged in q series Of small tubes in
order TO prevent sudden Earring Of the charge
and arrangement OF the mechanism. Two
small screws give motion to the torpedo, which
J. made to travel nine feet below the surface at
the rate OF twelve knots an hour. The firing
charge 10 about IS pounds Of gun cotton, ig-
nlted by impact which sets of an electric fuse
ending IN a stick of illuminate Of mercury i'm
bedced IN a small amount Of dry gun cotton
The remainder Of the gun cotton 10 wet
TORPEDO BOAT WARFARE
The matter of torpedo boat warfare has been
he subject Of vast amount Of study in other
countries well a. IN our own for several