The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-03
POWERFUL CRUISER.
Important Addition to the United
States Navy.
Successful Launch Of The New York From
the Cramp Ship-Yard.
Superior Qualities Of the New VeSsel-Speed
and ReSiStalee-ImprOYed Guns and
Nickel Steel hrmOr.
Erecisl 10 THE MORNING CALI

States armored cruiser New York was
the Cramp Ship-bulding Company in the
presence of15,00O people, among whom were
the Secretaries of the Navy, Treasury and
Interior departments, United States Sena-
tors, Congressman, high naval officials and
representative business and professional
men from all parts of the country. Miss
Helen Page, daughter Of Seaver Page,
Secretary of the Union League Club of New
York, broke the traditional bottle OF wine
upon the great steel ram of the cruiser as
she slid from her wooden cradle into the
Delaware River and christened her the
New York"
For weeks past preparations have been
making by the Messrs. Cramp for to-days
launch, and unusual interest was excited in
the construction OF the cruiser by reason of
the vessel marking an era in the annals of
American ship building.
Through Secretary Tracy about 5000 invi-
tationS were sent out. President Harrison,
Secretary Blaine, Secretary Rusk, Governor
Hill, GOvernor-elect Flower and Governor
Pattison were forced to decline the invita-
ton, owing to the pressure of business.
ARRIVAL OF GUESTS.
All the preparations for the launch had
been made to-day, when two special trains,
one from Washington and the other from
New ork, having on board a distinguished
company from those cities, rolled into the
ship yard. The guests. as they aghted from
the two trains, were welcomed by Charles
Cramp, President of the Cramp Ship build
ing Company. Two platforms had been
erected-one directly beneath the bows of
TlEA. .rt tfsa Il lan
wharf. The christening party. headed by
Cramp and Secretary Tracy, ana about 100
specially invited guests, made their way to-
ward the stand beneath the bows of the
cruiser. The other stand was crowded with
about 1000 people, and after those with cards
had been admitted the gates of the yard
were thrown open, and about 1900 people
In all collected TO see the New York slide
cf,
SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH
After Sc retary Tracy, Miss Page and the
balance OF the party had taken their places,
the snoring that held the cruiser in place
was Knocked away, the constructor gave
the warning call TO Miss Page, the great
steel hull tTembled from stem to stern and
then began to move down the tallowed
ways.
just as the cruiser started Miss Page
struck the bottle she held in her hands
against the keel that was slipping by her,
close above her head, and as wine flowed
L
chriSten thee New York"
a shout went up from the crowd when it
saw the cruiser begin to move, steam
whistles shreked and handkerchiefs, flags
and hats waved. Faster and faster the yes
sci rushed down the smoking ways, until,
with plunge that sent wave surging over
the neighboTing wharves. the future pride
of the navy slid into the water. The i'm
petus shot the cruiser half way across the
river, when two anchors from her bow were
U Will
the tide.
After the launch a collation. was served in
the mold-room of the yard.
Secretary Tracy before returning to Wash
ingtOn expressed himself greatly pleased
at the success attending the launch.
FORMIDABLE CRUISER.
When the New York is finished she will
be the most formidable cruising vessel that
ever has flown the stars and stripes, and in
addition she will bs the largest and most
powerfully "gined steamship ever bnilt
outside ot European Ship-yaTdS. II the de-
sign OF her builders Is fulfilled there is moth
ing atiOat to-day Of her class that will be
able TO steam from her or to engage with
her with any great hopes of victory. The
New ! ork will carry battery of six S-iucb
breech-lOadlDg rifles, twelve 4-inch rapid
firing guns, eight 6-ponnders, iour Gatiings
and SIX torpedo tubes. Following are the
principal dimensions, etc, Of the New
York: Length on the water line, $50 feet
III.
draught, % feet 35 inches; displacement,
$3.50 tons; maximum speed, 20 knots; sus-
talned sea speed, 1876 knots; complement of
officers and men, 475; coal endurance for a
total capacity Of 1900 miles. The New
York will be a twin-screw vessel. propelled
by four separate engines, each having the
power OF 45O6 horses. The eectric-light
plant will have capacity of 10000 amperes
and will include 1000 incandescent lights. In
addition there will be four search lights.
SUPERIOR QUALITIES.
The vessel will be 1909 tons heavier than
the Maine, and 1850 tons heavier than the
Texas, Compared with the English ships
of the AgamemnoD, Ajax and Warspite
class, the New Y ork will be faster by three
knots than the swiftest Of these vessels, and
her radius action 60O0 miles greater. She
has the advantage also in a broadside and
turret armor, which, being nickel steel, Will
offer greater resistance. Though the En-
gish guns may be tri1te longer than those
Of the New York, the latter's superior ma
neuvering qualities will enable the vessel to
select It's own hghtlnS range, and the 8-inch
American gun has demonstrated itself to be
fully us effective as the 92-inch gun of the
English with range of 2500 yards. On the
broadslde the New York will be protected
by one partial belt aTmor, another of water
excluding material, and complete protec-
tive deck in the wake of the machinery
spaces. A belt OF thin armor is worked be-
tween the protective and berth decks. The
total tnlchUeSS Oh Lil6 metal on the sides
throughout this space is five inches. In ad-
dltion TO this protection large supply of
coal can be slowed ON the armor-deck,
forming an additional safeguard against
serious damage near the water-lne.
GUN PROTECTION.
The barbettes on which the 8-inch guns
will be mounted, are ten inches thick and
the c0nical revolving shields on the guns are
seven inches; the sleeping armor between
the upper and gun decks beneath the bar
betteS is five inches, and the ammunition
tubes below are of the same thickness On
the broadsides the g. inch gun will be also
protected by partial barbettes two inches
thick. In the secondary battery the finch
rapid-frlng guns will be mounted in armored
sponsors four inches thick, with protective
shields closely covering the ports. One tor
pedo tube will be fixed in the bow, one in
the stern and two on each broadsde, all
above the water-line. The 8-inch and 4-inch
guns are twenty-five and sixteen and half
feet respectively above the water-line. In
addition to the protective deck the New
York will have three other complete decks
large flying deck or bridge, upon which
all her boats can be carried, and two mill
tary masts, which will be fitted with double
fighting tops for the machine guns Having
q freeboard of twenty feet IRON the water
to the upper deck, she will be able to fight
her guns and maintain her speed in sea-
way that would render smaller ships helpless
MADAGASCAR MINES.