The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-16

TRANSVERSE NIDsHIP sEcTIoS--ANMEN RAM
the bow and stern. They extend below
the turtle-back deck as well as in the hull
proper.
Between these longitudinaIs transverse
frames are worked in at intervals of four
feet throughout the vessels length. There
is thus formed very rigid structure.
There is double bottom, the inner bot
tom being two feet from the outer. The
space between these two bottoms is sub
divided into no less than seventy-two
water-tight compartments.
1t may thus be seen that the Injury that
would result to the vessel from grounding
or from the explosion of a torpedo has been
minimiZed The main body OF the vessel
within the inner bottom, has also been
sub-divided into numerous water-tight
compartments by both longitudinal and
transverse bulkheads.
The vessel is fitted with twin screws,
the machinery consisting of two horizon
tai triple-expansion engines, with COM
bined indicated horse power of 5, 400. The
high, intermediate and low pressure cylin-
ders are 25, 50 and 56 inches in diameter
respectively, and the stroke OF all pistons
is 80 inches.
A speed of eighteen knots is confidently
expected. The contract requires seven
teen knots. and if this requirement is not
complied with the vessel will be rejected.
gle-ende1 Scotch boilers thirteen and one
half feetin diameter. The coal bunker
CAPACITY is 80 tons. The vessel will be
equipped with all the modern devices for
artificial ventilation, drainage, etc, and
will be lighted throughout by electricity.
Ii has been previously stated that she
will carry four small guns on her deck as
a protection against torpedo boats, these
weapons will be 6-pounder rapid-tlrlng
guns. The rams crew will number ninety
one all told, officers and men. The boat
outfit will comprise a steam cutter, q
working launch and two whale boats.
The contract for building the ram was
awarded 10 the Bath Iron Works on jan
uary y. 1891. The work OF laying of the
lines OF the vessel in the mold LOTT las
begun on April 3 following; the first keel
pl ate was laid August f. first rivet driven
August Is, first frame erected August p,
and first outside plate put IN place on DC
tober 2, 1891.
The vessel was TO be completed within
eighteen months from the date the con-
tract was signed January %, 1S9l). 1t
will be observed that this time has already
more than expired, and much work yet
remains to be done. Ii IS not entirely the
| fault of the builders, however. that such
| is the case, for unlocked for delays have
been caused by the failure of the steel
manufacturers in Pennsylvania TO fur
| nish material as rapidly as wanted.
II is interesting TO note that there Is but
| one vessel in the world which bears even
| the remotest resemblance TO the Ammen
ram. This is the British torpedo ram
Polyphemus. vessel built some eleven
| wears ago. She is slightly larger than the
| Ammen ram. displacing 2,6io tons. She
| is of steel, with twin screws. and has a
| speed of about eighteen knots. She has
| a.'turtle back deck and possesses GER
/ of ftt
| Amrnen ram. from which she differs, how
| ever. IN the under water contour and con
| struction of her hull and also In the fact
| that she is not exclusively ram, ou' is
| intended largely, if not mainly, TO night
| with tornedos. She is chiefly interesting
as showing that a vessel OF low freeboard,
| turtle back" and high speed may DC both
| stable and seawortby.
| The results Of the trials Of the Ammen
| ram are 10 be looked for with the greatest
| interest, both by the professional and the
non,prefe =sional observer.