New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-25
PROTECTION FOR 4 VESSELS HOLL.
JAPANESE LACQUER SEEMS TO POSSESS EX-
CELLENT QUALITIES.

Washington. Jan. - <pcciaD.-With the adoptin OF
steel in Naval arch ccturc has come the problem OF
the protection Of vessels hull from the corrosive
action of sea water. Authorities are divided As 10
remedial processes. The advantages OF speed and
strength and uch'ness OF hull obtained from steel
construction permit 10 return to iron or wood. The
method of prevention therefore. must come in form
ht will not DEPRIVE steel OF its profitable qualities.
Tho subcc of ,hcathingtha. is outer covering OF
wood-ha, long been under discussion ana succeslvcy
proposcd Il, feature for new cruisers. The scheme.
-rhose chief c1ponci.t Is Naval Constructor Hchborn,
has also il, opponents who have furnished varied sig
rcs.ions tending to the same valued end. The Navy
Dcparfment recently received from Mr.. lloita.
lacouer manufacturer Of Toxic. two plates OF iron and
steel respectively each four feet square and covered
with three coats Of ancorrO-ivc and three coats Of
anti foullnc acquers. These platcs have been sub
merged in tidcwater at the Newlork Navy Yard.
where they will remain for three months.
Lieutenant j. +. Murdoch, Of the Navy, while on
tbe Asatic station interviewed Mr.. IIotia and in
spccted several vessels Of the japanese Navy at
Yokosuka dockyapl. The results Of his inquiry re-
cardng LACQUER a. a ships paint have evidently made
him an enthusiastic believer IN the benefit Of lacquer
The whole coast of Asia is adapted to the cultivation
Of the lacquer tree; in JAPAN where the use OF
LACQUER is extensive. plantations are being cSab-
lslcd the tree is also found in China and Corca.
The LACQUER is gathered after tree is five years old.
IL appears from incsons made in the bark, and when
gathered has the form of thick grayish juice. on
application to any surfacc-a camel'S hair brush Is
generally uscd-thc lacquer rapidly darkcns to brown
color and afterwad dries. forming luStrOus coat.
The percentage composition Of pure lacquer Is stated
officially a, follows: soluble In alcohol. oj1j; gum
arabic 3Ij heterogeneous matter, Us water and
volatile matter 942. ga .
The japanese Navy has met with success in the
adoption lacquer protection 70 thc hull an
interesting in consideration Of the dlculty eX-
pcricnced I'm the Pacific In keeping ships bottom
free from marine growth. Lieutenant Murdoch visited
"A vessel At NOko>uka whose bottom had not been
cleaned for nine months lie found That the lacquer
was perfectly smooth and unbrOkcn, and had afforded
complete protection 70 the metal II Is estimated
that the cost Of lacquerlnC vessel In this country
would be $500. against S-,IOO when i asserted by
Lieutenant Murdoch the cost of painting ship
during the period Of three years that lacquer Is sup
Dnsod o retain its influence. Lacquer has chemical
action magnetic oxide. galvanc action. which inter
fcrcS with the success of many anti foulng paints,
Is prevented by the waterproof and insulating prop
critics Of the lacquer coat. The results OF the sub
mcrsion Of the plates at Ncw1ork are awaited with
of the problem Of protection TO steel hulls.