The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-06

repeat the description here. Their speed
Ia high for vessels of this class. Their
coal endurance is amply sufficient for the
purpose for which they are designed.
Their defensive protection is thorough and
effective. their belt and redoubt arnor
being eighteen inches in thickness. As
for their battery, the statement made six
months ago, that it is the heaviest and
most effective battery carried today by any
shin afioat or projected, has never been
disputed. Four l3-inch guns, rising to a
heigh. of eighteen feet above the water,
eight s.irsch guns at an elevation of twen-
tv-five feet. and four 6inch guns distribu-
ted in various parts of the casemase, form
the armament
These four types of vessels are not imi-
tations. They do not represent any spe-
cific class or model existing abroad.
Points of resemblance they undoubtedly
have. as all ships must have: but in their
essential features they are highly individ-
ual in character, and in a way not to fall
behind. but to surpass, the types they may
be called upon to encounter. Perhaps 1t
NAV be said that no one feature of these
Sims Is unique. but the combination of
features which they represent is admitted
20 he unique on all hands
Until recently foreign critics have been
silent as to the progress OF our navy Be
yond an occasional newspaper paragraph
little has been said about il, and that little
has been of the most cursory description.
Very recently, however. the subject has
begun to engage attention, and the publi-
cation in England, in March last, of an
elaborate and carefully prepared paper,
has called forth extensive discussion and
awakened considerable interest abroad.
This paper is entitled "Some Recent War
shin Designs for the American Navy" and
was read in March last before the institute
of navel architects BY Mr.. j. NJ. Biles.
a member of the council of the
institute and a navel architect of
experience and wide reputation, who had
recently returned from visit of inspec-
ton to this country. The essay was fol-
lowed, at the time. by a long and animated
discussion, in which many English naval
critics took part.
In order that we may '.see ourselves as
others see VS." it may be well to quote
from Mr., Biles' paper some of his com.
the FIRST four ships of the new
navy, the Chicago, Boston, At
lanta and Dolphin. and
takes in all the important constructions
authorized since 1882. including the latest.
Considering the state of the art of steel
shipbuilding in America In 1883. il is salts
factory to hear Mr.. Biles declare that, in
respect to workmanship. the American
ships are quite equal to the best Of the
English
AS might be expected. Mr.. Biles gives
special attention to the four types designed
since March 4. 1889, which have been re-
ferred to above, OF cruiser No. 6, a vesse,
of $500 tons displacement, he says:
The nearest vessels of our navy to this are the
belted cruisers, which have armament inferior
BY two s-inch guus and a speed of knot an
hour less The Refine Regente, in the Spanish
navy, is of considerably less displacement, has
she has four 9-ineh guns against the four s-inch
guns of this vessel they have not IS good protec-
lion, and she has only ak 5-iBch guns against
ten.
OF the New York-srmored cruiser No.
2-he says;
The New York is rated by the Americans as
an arnnored cruiser. she is OF q type somewhat
class and the Blake and Bgenheim, being practi-
cslly OF the same length and breadth as the
latter.
Mr. Biles continues:
Compared with the Edgar class, this vessel is
much more powerfully armed and much better
protected. Her sustained sea speed VIII prooa-
bly, be greater.
OF cruiser No. IL, whose design, as al
ready stated, is TO be reproduced in No. Is,
he says:
No. II cruiser is, however, the most irpor-
tant of the cruisers. She is called commerce
destroyer, AMI is popularity known as the
Pirate.
He then gives table in which he con-
trasts the speed of the New York, No. s
and No. II with the fastest British
shirs the Blake and Blenhein. from