The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-18
The Two New War Ships.

The compromise reached on the Navy Ap-
preparation bill will add to the new fleet
two vessels Of the highest types Of eff
cheney. 1t may be something OF disap-
pointment that still more was not accom-
plished; but the lavishness OF the Billion
Congress seems to have enforced frugality
even in this matter of great national I'M
portance. Indeed. 1t was only by postpon-
ing appropriations for the battle ship until
the next session that the authorization for
1t was secured.
On the other hand. the House accepted
much the most important portion OF the
additions proposed by the Senate. It is
sometimes said disparagingly that the Sem
ate added dozen vessels to the bill and the
House only granted one. But this one ship
selected by tho House from the Senate's
list may cost nearly million more than
ten OF the smaller craft that the Senate
also proposed. In fact. the limit set for the
battle ship is s4.OOO.OO0. 1t will also cost far
more than the coast defence vessel pro-
posed by the Senate. while being itself q
most efficient coast defender. as well as o
seagoing nne-of-battle ship. Again. the
armored cruiser. which the House had OIL
ready ordered. is to be O very expensive
vessel. the New York costing $685. 900.
while the limit for the new vessel Of this
type is $500. 900. and she will be superior
to the New York.
It will be seen, therefore. that, while only
two vessels have been authorized by Con-
gress. they may be worth two dozen torpedo
boats and small gunboats such as numeri-
cally swelled the Senates list. Secretary
TRACY has described the New York as " an
unusual combination OF great offensive and
defensive power. with. extraordinary coal
endurance and a high rate OF speed" She
can go twenty knots an hour. and at q less
speed can make q voyage OF $4,000 miles
without recoaling. She Is built. In fact. as
the Secretary says. to keep the sea. and
thus destroy an enemy's commerce. and not
only his commerce but any commerce de-
stroyer he may send out. Four such ships.
distributed in various quarters. would put
an effectual stop to the depredations Of rs
many fleets Of ordinary cruisers. For gcn-
eral purposes Of service In war she Is be-
lieved to have q wider field OF usefulness
than any other ship yet designed for the
navy" The Secretary also speaks Of the
New York as magnificent vessel. in
which the highest efficiency Of the cruiser
type Is reached-in fact. the best all-round
vessel Of any type" But the new armored
cruiser. as planned. is likely to be 1900 tons
larger than the New York. She will have
four barbette turrets instead Of two for her
heavy guns. and these will be protected by
1O-inch armor. Her protective deck will
also be an improvement on the New York 8
and her battery power will undoubtedly be
superior.
OF the three battle ships now to be Joined
by fourth. Secretary TRACY has said that
there are others In existence Of greater
size. none Of greater power or efficiency"
Their battery Is " the heaviest and most eff
fective carried to-day by any ship afloat or
projected" whilo their water-line armor of
nickel steel Is eighteen inches thick. The
main battery Of one of these vessels throws
over three tons weight Of projectiles at a
single discharge. and the projectlles OF
their l3-inch guns can perforate twenty
two inches OF steel at the distance OF mile.
Their secondary batteries discharge $50
projectiles per minute. 1t Is already GER
tain that the new battle ship will DO an i'm
provement on the Massachusetts. Indiana,
and Oregon. although as 1t has only lately
been sure that she would be constructed,
her plans are not so far advanced as those
OF tho armored cruiser. Her one great
point of gain will be in her speed.
Altogether the two vessels authorized at
tho present session will DO most valuable
additions to the new fleet.