The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-24
pfans; Nearly Ready for the Great
Additions to Uncle Sans
Navy.
One TO Be Gigantic Battle Ship,
the Other an Armored
Cruiser.
Total Cost Of the Two Nearly 41a 200, 900
-ons May Be Built on the Pa.
cific Coast.

10 giving much thought to the plans for the
battle ship and the armorsd cruiser author
lied by the last congress. He 10 In daily
consultation with the officials Of the de-
signing bu'eau. recelvinR, approving and
making suggestions upon various features
Of the designs ~ the work progresses. The
numerous changes made in the plans Of the
new ships since they were contracted for
have convinced him Of the necessity for .
more thorough deliberation upon the pres-
ent plans before placing them in the hands
OF the prospective bidders.
At the present rate Of progress the plans
will be ready for inspection by the bidders
BY Nov. !. The bids will probably be
opened and tho contracts let BY Jan. l. In
clsding the 5000 tons Of armor rsquil cd for
these two ships and for the completion of
the other armorsd vessels building, these
contracts will aggregate nearly $4,000, 900.
the largest amount ever given out By the
department at ono time.
The armor contract will amount to about
81, 800. 900 and the construction Of the two
ships to about 81, 200. OOO-$4. OOO. 5000 for the
battle ship and So, 600, 600 for the armored
cruiser. Tho armor contract will no doubt
go to either the Bethlehem Iron works OF
the Carnegie company, as they are the only
hrms having the necessary plant. Should
harveyized plates bs called for, and this
seems probable. the Bethlehem company
will in all probability carry of the prize,
for the reason that Il is the only Arm pre-
pared TO mako plates by this process.
The competition for the ships promises ia
be more general. Tho Arms engaged upon
smaller craft have expressed their intention
TO enter into competition, az have also sew
eral firms which have never before taken
government contracts. The real contest,
however, will be between the Cramps, ol
Philadelphia. and the Union Iron works. Of
San Francisco. They are not only the best
equipped for the construction of large yes
seis, but having already similar ships in
course of construction they will be spared
the expense of making patterns which
would devolvs upon new contractor.
In this respect the Cramps will also have
an an advantage over the Union Iron works
in the composition for the armored cruiser.
Many of the patteruB of the New York, e.
pecially for the machinery, will be available
for her sister ship. Not having built yes-
sci of this type the Union Iron works would
find it necessary to make an entirely new
set of patterns. the cost of which would
battle ship the hono,s will be evenly divided,
for the reason that both firms are building
vessels Of the same type. The general inn
preston in naval circles is that tho Cramps
will got the armored cruiser and the Union
Iron works the battle ship.
In the designs for tho new battle ship the
department has stretched the limit of dis
placement as far as the law will admit.
This ship. which will be known as battle
shin No. 4 until name is selected, will
have displacement of II, $50 tons, or ], ,050
tons greater than the three now building.
All her dimensions arc slightly increased.
She will be $50 feet long, ssventy-two feet
beam ana twenty-four feet draught "a
against 348 feet length. 691a feet beam and
twenty four feet draught in the battle ships
now building, She will have II, 600 horse
power. an increase of 1000. Her speed is
fixed at 161a knots. an increase of half a
knot. Her battery ia still unsettled. II
has been practically decided, however, to
give her twelve-inch gums in place of thir-
teen inch guns. which are to go on the
other battle ships and to substitute four
inch or fve-inch rapid fire guns for the
eight-inch breeoh loading heavy cannon.
The turret designs, thickness of armor and
distribution and protection OF armament
for both vessels are matters still under dis
Cussion.