The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-08-10
l. S. CRUISER SAN FRANCISCO.
The Fastest Ship in the Ameri-
v can Navy.

lie y. >. OTuiSeI kOhu iohCiSCo
was constructed by the Union Iron
Works, of San Francisco. Her total
cost with armament amounted to
S2,011,34S. Undoubtedly she is the
fastest vessel in the American navy
at the present time, and none can
excel her as regards equipment,
cleanliness Of quarters and efficiency
of both officers and men. Her COM
mission dates from November 10,
1890, when the stars and stripes were
for the first time hoisted at her peak.
The main portion of the ships com
pany were sent in a body from the
East to man her, as it was found diff
cult to get crew of snch large
number of men at that time on the
Pacific Coast.
The San Francisco left, April 8, on
d trial trip to South America, calling
in at several ports on the way, finally
arriving in Valparaiso, Chile, August
15 The prominent position taken
by the San Francisco IN maintaining
the dignity of the United States Gov
eminent while the Chilean war was
in progress; the assistance rendered
by Admiral Brown to the American
Consul and American citizens, In
protecting their interests by sending
armed bodies of men ashore while
lying in Valparaiso; the humanity
displayed In conveying refugees to
ports of safety when all other men
of-war refused them aboard their
ships, are too well known to need re
counting, but stamp the American
navy and her officers in foreign
waters as emblematical of her home
government haven for the OPP
pressed and refuge from the yoke
of tyranny.
The San Francisco finally left Val
paraiso on September Ia, arriving in
Mare Island on November 20. After
refitting she left again for Honolulu,
arriving here on February 9th last.
Her stay here undoubtedly has been
a pleasant one to both the officers
and men, and although she will soon
depart, strong hopes are entertained
for her speedy return by the citizens
of this city.
There are at present SO officers and
337 enlisted men quartered comfort
ably aboard this triumph of Pacific
Coast shipbuilding.
DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL.
The San Francisco is what is
known as a twin screw protected
cruiser, having poop and forecastle
deck, with an open gun deck be-
tween. The vessel is built of milled
steel throughout, and contains all
the latest improvements in naval
construction, ordnance and steam
engineering.
The following are her measure
ments: Length over all, 324 #. 2 In.
length between perpendicular, BOO
IT,; breadth of beam, 40 fit. IL In.
depth of hold, % IT.; displacement
1888 tons.
The engines, boilers, magazines
shell-rooms, torpedo spaces and steer
ing gear are placed below protec
tive steel deck extending throughout
the length Of the vessel. The engines
and boilers are further protected OF
both sides and from above by Goa
space or bunkers, which serve botl
as an extra armor and as fuel stores
The rudder and steering gear ar
entirely below the water line, and ar
under the protective deck. Steam
steering wheels are located in til
pilot house and armored coming
tower; and on the quarterback, aft
is a combined steam and hand steer
ing wheel, and the vessel can also b
steered by hand or steam from beloy
the protective deck aft.
RIG.
The rig is that of a three maste
schooner without head boom, sail bt
ing simply an auxiliary power. Tn
sail area is $40 square feet.
MACHINERY.
The motive power is furnished
two horizontal, direct acting, trip
expansion, screw engines, placed
separate water tight compartment
The cylinders are ~, so and
inches in diameter by 42inch strok
There are four boilers of the doubl
ended horizontal return, tubul
type, IA It. 8 10. in diameter, to car
steam at 135 pounds pressure. The
is also steam starting and reVerslI
gear, ash hosting engines aud stea
torning gear for engines, which a
OF 10,604 horse power.
Her greatest speed, under stea
alone, full boiler power, has be
POLL knots; maximum speed for 70
consecutive hours, 1877 knots.
ARMAMENT.
The main battery consists
twelve 6inch B. T.. r., mounted
navy carriages, supporting Sc
mental shields two inches thick
the purpose of protecting the gu
crew, as we'll as the mechanism
the gun carriages, from machine g
FIRE. The two guns forward
mounted, one on either side, uL
the forecastle deck, and train fir
65 degrees abaft the beam to lis
grees forward.
The secondary battery consists
four 6-pounder Hotchkiss r.
guns, four 3-pounder Hotchkiss
r. guns, two 1-pounder Hotchl
go.