The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-13
HARBOR DEFENSE RAM.
Description Of an Interesting War
Vessel That Soon Will Be
Launched.
New Features Introduced by the
Builders to Secure Greater
Efficiency.
A Queer Looking Craft With . Turtle
Back-Partly Submerged Whom in
Fighting Trim.

WARRINGTON, Aug. 12.-One of the most
novel and interesting vessels OF the new
fleet is the harbor defence ram, authorized
launched. She has been under construc-
ton at the Bath iron works, and pains will
be taken to make her appearance on the
water a memorable event. The wife of
Senator Hale will name the craft and the
North Atlantic squadron. under Admiral
Gherardi,, is expected to be present at the
ceremony.
The bids for this vessel, which were
called for on the 18th of October, 1890. were
opened on the Goth of December following,
and the contract for her construction was
awarded on the 2Sth of January, 1891, at
the price of $3.50, 600 for the hull and ma
ohinery, to the Bath iron works. the build
ers Of the gunboats Machias and Castine.
These contractors proposed and obtained
permission to add about eight feet to the
length of the vessel, with a corresponding
increase of displacement OF about 1876 tons.
This increase allows a much larger coal
carrying capacity, which now reaches about
100 tons; while the shape of the stem is
altered 80 as to obtain greater strength and
better maneuvering qualities, and the
height Of the coming tower has been in
creased,
Xix NGS6Cl 10 Duils albcA tAtC oc6IGub VI
Rear Admiral Daniel Ammen, of the re-
tired list, who is well known al the leading
advocate in the American navy of the ram
IA an appliance in naval warfare. 1t has a
length on load water line of $50 feet and nine
inches, a breadth of forty-thres feet five
teen feet, giving a displacement
of 2,183 tons Her engines, which are
of the twin screw. triple expansion type,
are to develop q maximum of 1880 indi-
Gated horsepower. which should give the
contract speed of seventeen knots per hour.
A premium of Sl5,OO0 will be allowed for
each quarter mot Ill excess OF that rate,
and she may reach eighteen knot since her
motive machinery was really designed for
that speed. on 4 displacement of 2, 1850 tons.
Each engine il Independent of the other, in
Il separate wRter-tight compartment, and
there are four boilers in two separate COM
partments, with forced draught produced
by closed fire rooms.
The hull ia designed upon tho Longitude
nal and bracket system, with al inner bot
tom extending from the collision buikhsad
to the stern. The longitudinals and grid
ers supporting the deck are continuous,
convergine to the stem casting and to the
stern, the frames and beams being inter
costal. The space between the inner and
outer skin is undivided INTO seventy two
compartments, and thirty more between
the inner skin and the deck amor make ur
1O2 commitments.
She will be a queer looking craft. with g
turtle back deck. above which will SHOW
only her coming tower. smoke pipe and
ventiiators, with the hatch conmiugs anC
skid beams for the boats. Originally il
was intended that sho should carry no arm
ament whatever; but it has since been de
eided to give her four small rapid-tirs gum
Of s~ix-pounder oaliber. simply as u defence
against torpedo craft. For her offensive
work she will rely wholly on her ram
which il Of wrought steel and removable