Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-10

Miantonomoh. ...-...... S,Sl5 Oct. u, 1871
The vessels remaining under con-
struction, with the acts authorizing
them, are as follows:
Act Of August 8, 1885: Puritan, Amphitrite'
Monadnock Terror. Maine, Texas.
Act Of March 8, 1887: Monterey.
Act of September 2, 1888: New York, Cruiser
No. 6, Cincinnati mo y, Raleigh no. 81, 10.
9. Detroit (No. 10), No. II, and The Prac'ice
Vessel.
Act of March Q, 1883: Harbor Defense Ram,
Gunboat No. 3, Gunboat No. 9.
Act Of June 80, 1870: Indiana, Mas achusetts,
Oregon, Protected Cruiser No. II, Torpedo
Cruiser, Torpedo Boat No..
Act OF March2, 1891: Protected Cruiser No. 10.
The report adds: "All the above yes
sells, with the exception OF the TORPEDO
cruiser, already referred to, ara max
ing rapid and substantial progress.
1.-The delays in the delivery OF armor
may cause the dates of final completion
of the twelve armored vessels in the
list to be somewhat later than was con-
templated when the contracts were
drawn; but with the increased sources
of supply OF armor plate now available
1t is probable that this delay will be
short, and it will be much more than
compensated for by the superior quality
OF the armor which has been developed
during the past year. In other respects
the work upon the armored vessels now
building and fitting out is proceeding
satisfactorily.
1.-THE double-turreted monitor Man
tonomoh has already been put in COM
mission, and will be ready during this
month for such trials as IL may be de-
sirable to give her, al her
guns now being il position.
She will shortly start upon her first
cruise. The other vessels Of this class,
the Terror, Amphitrite and Monadnock,
Of 1890 tons, and the Puritan, Of 5000
tons displacement, will be ready to re-
ceive their armor as soon as it can be
delivered, and their completion may be
expected by the spring of 1893. The To-
inch guns of the Terror are completed,
and will be installed whenever the YES
sci is prepared to receive them.
1.-THE coast defense vessel Monterey
was successfully launched April %,
1891, and is now ready to receive her
armor. Her 10-inch and 12-inch guns,
with their mounts, are well advanced,
and will be ready for installation when
required. The ship will probably be
completed some time in the year 1892.
"The Maine has made fair progress
since her launching a year ago. The
engines have been completed, and a
shop trial of them took place on August
31st. Their installation is now making
rapid progress, and will be completed
- h. ho I'll
60 into dock in December the wooden
backing will be secured in place at
once, and the armor put on as fast as
delivered. Alterations have been made
in the plans of the turrets, by which
their weight has been reduced 1874 tons,
and this weight redistributed by in
creasing the thickness Of the roposed
barbette armor from 10X inches to ~
inches, and the side armor from liz
inches to ~ inches, thus adding ma
terially to the defensive strength OF the
ship.
'The work on the hull OF the Texas
has been especially satisfactory, and
she will be launched next, spring. The
vessel is expected to be ready for service
early in 1894.
"The armored cruiser New York was
launched successfully on the md in
slant, and her date OF trial nay be
fixed about January, 1898. With her
high speed and great coal endurance, a
6-inch protective deck, and 5-ilch side
armor plates OF nickel steel, and o pow
erful battery well supplied with armor
protection against the fire OF every
thing except the heaviest gus, this
vessel will be most important addi-
tion to the naval strength of the
country.
"The work upon the batts ships
Indiana, Massachusetts and Oregon is
going on rapidly, the two former having
their frames erected up to the armor
belt. At present. it is impossible TO
give with certainty the date Of COM
pletion of these vessels, but, according
to present probabilities, they will be
ready for service early in 1894. The
progress Of work upon the unarmored
vessels Of the Navy is equally salts
factory.
Since the last report the Charleston
has received her S-inch guns in place OF
the 6-inch temporarily put on board.
The battery of the Dolphin has also been
improved by the substitution OF TWO
finch rapid-fre guns for the 6-lnch
assigned to the vessel.
"Of the old wooden ships of the navy
there are in existence two second-rate
vessels, the Lancaster, the present nag
ship of the Asiatic Station, and the PEN
sacola, now stationed at Hanolulu. The
Lancaster probably has six years OF ser
vice before her, but the cruising days OF
the Pensacola are numbered. len
third-rate vessels remain-the Marion
and Alliance on the Asiatic Station;
the Mohican, IroQuos aud Ihetls, on
the Pacific; the Kearsarge, on the North
Atlantic; the Essex and Yanlc, on the
South Atlantic, and the Adams at Mare
Island. OF these the Yantic a1d Adams
are probably good for five years more OF
service, and the others for twoor three.
The Omaha, Swatara and NipSe are not
in condition for further cruising, and
the Enterprise Is temporarily serving
the purpose Of a practice vessel at the
Naval Academy, until the completion
Of ship of that class"
The Secretary complains bitterly OF
the non-delivery of armor, rnder con-
tracts long overdue, but speais in high
terms of the efficiency of amor furn-
ished in resisting shot. The trials are
given in detail.
On the subject Of
ORDINANCE,
the secretary says:
"The following table give! the num-
Der Of guns required to arm tie vessels
now authorized, the NUMBERED sets OF