The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1892-01-23
Our First Fighting Ship.

g" DoultOT Mlant0n0mOh, which W,
but recently completed and put in con
mission. has been engaged in testin
her main battery In Gardeners Ba,
The vessel has been completed after bt
Ing In course of building for man
years, during which time the plan G
her construction has been altered man
times. As finally completed she is
doubie-turreted monitor, heavily de
tended by all armOr belt Of great thick
ness, with steel turrets of the mos
powerful construction, while her mali
battery consists of four ten-inch gun
OF the very latest pattern.
The monitor Is one Of five Of the sam,
description building for the Government
hence the performance OF the new shir
az the trst OF her class in commission
has been awaited with anxiety. The
success of the Miantonomoh would mean
that most effective type of coast de.
tense vessels has been secured. which
VIII greatly simplify the problem of the
naval defense OF our ports.
The performance of tho new vessel
has 80 far been such as 10 warrant the
belief that she will prove a useful coast
defense ship. capable If keeping the sea
In moderate weather practically iayuI-
nrrable. and at the same time c3paIIle
oi making stout fight against s!ips Of
the largest and most powerful type.
While the battery Of The new vessel is
not nearly 80 heavy as the majority If
battle ships of the high free board tyne.
her Tour turret gums are very powerful
and capable of making her 4 formidable
antagonist. while her low free board,
heavy armor belt and facility for bring
Ing Ger deck practically flush with the
wafer promise 10 render her difficult tar
get Tor hostile shots. The new vessel
possesses all the qualities for the moni.
Tor type of vessels with the additional
nghilng and defensive strength needed
to cope with the most improved types Of
foreign fighting ships.
The trial OF the great guns # the
diantonomOh have so far been most sa-
'isfactory. The tests have been unat-
'ended by the damage to vessel and gun
carriages SO common in the trials of the
guns OF new vessels. The guns were
ired with reduced charges, and one OF
hem with the full service charge. with. |
mt any weakness being developed
ither In the guns and carriages or in
he vessel itself.
These results prove that the fitting of
ne battery In the ship has been skill.
ully accomplished and that the guns.
n spite OF the large caliber, can be car
led by the monitor with perfect safety.
Ill the guns of the Vessels main battery
our in number, are of 1O-inch caljbpr
lounted in pairs in turrets one OF which
placed forward and the other aft
he ship Is also provided with power
III secondary battery mounted in a light
nperstructure between the turrets. with
mich it IL intended to repulse attacks
torpedo boats or other small craft.
Altogether the Miantonomoh promises
} bea vessel of which the country can
'el proud. When the other double tur.
tied monitors, all of which arc OF SINH
IT construction, are completed. which
Ill at an carly date, and the six high
zee board battle ships BOW building, are
$50 added to the navy list, the country
i'll be in possession of small but e0l-
ent fleet OF fighting shigs, which may
safely counted on to do good service ,
protecting our coasts and maintain
'g the honor of the American flag
lcayune.