The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-29
BIGGER THAN THE BALTIMORE.
Ane GREAT Rattle Ship Texas Launched
at Norfolk Navy Yard

PORTSMOUTH, Va, June N-At the Norfolk
navy yard Constructor Francis T. Bowles sa-
cured signal triumph in the successful launch
ing OF the great battle ship Texas today The
scene, in spite Of the rain which fell the entire
forenoon. was most animated There were l5-
Wy spectators il the yard and as many more on
tle steamers. tugs, yachts, and on the opposite
more OF the river Al Ills O'Clock Miss Madge
houston Williams. OF Texas, at the signal.
;, ready" uttered these words: Il christen thee
.', broke bottle of wine on the bow of
.he naval vessel and she started 1t was itrs.
soTlF-six seconds from the time the bottla was
D.oAen that the Texas was standing in the
stream as firm as a land battery Five minutes
sasef she was moored to the wharf
Tine Texas is q steel armorei battle shin hav-
Issa "n sIeei iusfets, and her keel was laid in
i Her length on the water-line is 3eI feet
lncnes, her breadth 81 fee. inch her mean
Hat sI2 "a feet. Her displacement il $50 tons
I1cr maximum indicated horse newer Ia 4 so
produced By twin screw. vertical trinIe-ernan
s.on engines, which are expected to give her a
1891 puea % seventeen knots. Her main battery
yn.sss OF two l2-nch and SIX 6-inch breeeh-
;ioaHlng ufles, while her secondary battery will
. as.9ae Twelve 6-pounder and four 1-pounder
r na,, nrs guns, four Ho.chkss revolving can
non . and two Cuttings. Her armor is a foot
E LEX, pofh on her sides and her ttYrre,s The
Unit OF the cost OF the Texas, as fixed in the act
OF Angus 8, 1856. authorizing her constrncft9r,.
Is y 5o0o 900, exclusive of her battery. The gen,
sIal plan OF the Texas had been made familiar
c 81 some Of the big Italian iron
water iine and again around the guns in the
upper deck. but left the intermediate space. 81
..ontaining nothing OF Importance, withou, pro-
.ecaon The two turrets were put en- ectlloa
os on opposite Sides OF the middle liue of The
ssnIp, SO As to secure a forward and aft fire. The
.e1as has an uasheathed, dou bic -bottomed
steer null, divided into numerous watertight
Compartments. She has complete protective
steer dec above her machinery. The Texas Of
.efs noteworthy instance OF the rapid advance
IA naval construction. She has fallen almost
oenind the times before being put into the
WateE 1t IL quite certain that no other vessel
IKE this or like the Maine will ever again be
nulit In this country. 1t is found that with a
.s.tle more expense very great gain can be
eeuteFed In various WAYS The additional
of the Indiana, Massachu-
sctts and Oregon permits = great in
erease both OF arnlor and armament
ne designer OF the vessel was William John
" " no Is EMPLOYED by the Barrow Shippuiifing
company OF England which firm carried off ths
Prize In dispute as to the plans which fol-
Io"ed their acceptance il was averred on the
one nand that the Texas was TO be far too heavy:
snat miscaicuiatioas of weights had bee1 made
Auo IN tact that IL was doubtful whether She
would not sink SO low in the water as 10 he
nlmoat worthless. Assistant Naval Constructor
bowies combatted this assertion and the yassal
mas been built on her original iines1