The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-09
NTH O'Clock and from Q O'Clock until sun

modern navy was never better illustrated
than by the sight of the Kearsarge and
PHILADELPHIA lying near each other of ~
bee. The Philadelphia, with her heavily
plated sides painted white and formidable
guns peeping ont from her portfolios, with
$50 men crowding her decks, looked war
like in every respect. The Kearsarge, With
her old black painted wooden sides, looked
nothing more than an ordinary sailing yes
sci as she rode in the water.
But once aboard Of her the
visitor realized that the famous cruiser is
still capable Of good service. While unpre-
possessing outwardly she is well appointed
Everything Is bright aud shining and in
apple pie order.
THE GUN THAT SUNK THE ALABAMA.
The famous gun which sunk the Alabama
stands in the center Of the quarter the
first object the eye of the visitor is attracted
to. 1t is highly polished and has the name
"Winslow" on its side in German text brass
letters. This name was given the gun in
compliment TO Capt. Winslow who COM
manded the cruiser In her famous fight
Just above the gun on brass plate are the
words "June 10, 1864, the date of
the battle. Below it on the steering wheel
are the words "Semper Pdrdtus," always
Ready" The Winslow was an 11-inch gun
when it sank the Alabama but is now re-
modelled into an S-inch rife. In the for
-
| to the Winslow which also took part in the
Alabama fight. 1t is called Thornton in
honor of the executive officer of that name
who was in the engagement. Besides the
two famous guns the Kearsarge Is equipped
with four 9-inch broadside rifles and 60
pound Parrott rife in the forecastle.
THE CRUISERS MEN.
The Kearsarge carried a complement of
1893 men. Its blue jackets have representa-
- a.
There are Americans, freshmen, Germans,
Englishmen, Scandinavians, Norwegians,
Mexicans, Japanese. Spauiards and others
One OF the seamen is a survivor of the
wreck of the Nipsic, which was lost in the
storm at Samoa, and another was on
the Inflated Trenton which persisted at
the same time. The pet Of the
named Fritz, which was picked up on the
island of Navassa, about three years ago.
He is an animal which many circus pro-
prietors would prize highly.
The length of the cruiser is 233 feet, with
breadth of 39% feet Her tonnage is
1850, and her draught 16 feet inches.
Her engines are simple. horizontal
back acting. with four tubular
boilers. The cruiser carries 23l tons Of coal
and averages 1920 knots an hour, con-
suming IS tons OF coal daily.
THE PHILADELPHIA.
The Philadelphia is classed as a pros
tected cruiser. Length, S35 feet; beam, As
feet inches; mean draught, 10 feet inches,
and displacement tonnage, $500; and was
built for the governments by William
Cramp 81 Sons of Philadelphia, and
launched Sept. z, 1889. Her cost. without
armament, was 81. 900. She is built OF
mild steel, the plating 5s-inch thick, the
protective deck q inches co 4 inches thick.
and thu OOnniDu tn Yar inChaa thipk Tho
motive power is steam. She has twin screws
with horizontal triple expansion engines
capable of developing over 10000 horse
power, and driving the vessel at the rate of
1888 knots per hour, or about 90 5 miles.
THE BATTERIES.
The main battery consists OF four 6-inch
breech-loading rifled guns mounted on the
fore-castle and poop decks. and eight 6Iuch
breech-loading rifled guns mounted in broad
from these guns ahead and astern is 400
pounds The Eame abeam or in broedside
is 600 pounds. The secondary battery con-
sists Of two 1-pounders, four 3-pounders,
and four 6-pounders, rapid-fire guns. three
3Tm Hotchkss revolving caunons and four
gatling-guns. mounted on the rail, also five
torpedo tubes for use of automobile tor
pedoes. The complement consists of about
410 officers and men.
The Philadelphia is fitted with electric
lights throughout, four powerful search
lights, and SO water-tight compartments,
and has 40 distinct and separate engines for
various uses. The ventilation is perfected
by two blower engines, ths pipes for which
reach every room and compartment.
The vessel carries one steam launch, one
steam whale boat. one barge, one gig, two
dinghys. three cutters, two whale boats
and Que sailing launch.
THE CRUISERS VISITORS
The gathering on board OF the Kearsarge
yesterday contained some noted characters
OF the civil war. Capt. Msrmelstein, who
was on the Alabama, plotted the Kearsarge
in. Capt. Thomas NJ. Fleetwood, another
OF the Alabama's men, was there also.
gagged in the attempt TO de-
stroy the Kearsarge that twenty
eight years after one would be on
her decks as visitor and the other on the
bridge as a pilot. Mr.. Raphael Semmes
of Atlanta, nephew of Admiral Semmes
of the Alabama, was also guest of
the cruiser that sent to the bottom Of the
sea the pride of his famous uncle's heart
The scene OF the one-tlme enemies COM
mingllng together as jolly and happy
friends was an interesting study OF a res
united people.
Among those of the admiral's party who
came up on the Kearsarge was Rev. Charles
IL HarkB OF Vne tulihuetpnlas chaplain OF
the North Atlantic squadron. Father Parks
is the first Roman Catholic priest ever ap-
pointed to a chaplain's position in the United
States navy. President Cleveland gave him
the place. Father Parks is genial gentle
man, and favorite of the Philadelphias
officers, marines and blEe jackets. He will
be the guest Of Mayor MoDonough during
May week.
Another distinguished guest Of the Phila-
delphia who came up is Mr.. l.. A. Dent,
private secretary 60 Secretary of State
Blaine. Mr. Dent was travelling in Cuba,
and joined the squadron when it reached
there several weeks ago.
All the officers of both the Kearsarge and
Philadelphia are clever men. who will
make friends during their stay in Savan-
nah.
The Vesuvius is expected to arrive this
morning, and will probably be brought up
to the city. The Newark won't get here
until some time Wednesday, as she had to
coal at Key West before starting.
THOUGHT 1T WAS WAR AGAIN.
An Incident of the Mary Odell's
Salute to the Kearaarpa