Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-30

Unarmored but protected ships are divid-
ed into classes OF cruiser frigates, cruiser
corvettes, cruisers. cannon boats and dis
patch boats, or "avisos." The first three
classes are intended for transatlantic SER
vice. while the smaller ones are used at
home. The frigates ere three-masted and
carry battery below and few guns on
deck. The corvettes are armed only on the
deck. and the cruisers carry only a small
deck battery. Frigates are manned by 45O
corvettes by 800 and cruisers by $50 men.
Cruisers, Frfgates and COrvettes.
At present there are only three cruiser
frigates in service, the older ones having
been taken for school ships. In addition to
these there are ten graceful corvettes and
three others will soon be added to the num-
Der. To this class belongs the Kaiserin
Augusta, which was sent by Germany to
represent her navy at the great naval re-
view in New York. The Kaiserin Augusta
bas three screws and is very long and sharp
pointed. Another corvette is the Irene,
named for the wife of Prince Henry, the
commander of the ironclad Beowulf. Both
are new ships. provided with modern in
ventions: They have from 5000 to 10000
horse power ana attain a speed of from 70
to ~ knots. They may be coaled for a dis
lance Of from 400 to 5000 sea miles. Their
decks are heavily armored and their inter-
iors are plated with steel. The battery con-
sfsts OF twelve finch guns, two cannon of
IL caliber and four revolving guns.
There are eleven cruisers, armed with
light weapons and able to carry coal for
4.OUO sea miles. These cruisers are sta
toned in the German colonies and are
changed every three to five years. as a long
stay in the tropics is highly injurious to
vessels.
IN use, and. although many were employed
IN the Franco-Prussian war, the government
has not ordered any new ones. They have
nsht guns and, in the center, large bomb
neat trim vessel is the dispatch boat, or
"aviso." The government can command ten
OF these. Being built for spies and speed
they carry only very light arms The oldest
aviso" was built in 1880, and is called the
Grille. She was much used by the late
Emperor Frederick and his family, who
were very fond of the ocean. The Grille
made good record in the Danish war. The
provided with iron-plated decks, are lightly
built and attain high speed The Meteor is
the newest. built in 1892, has 5000 horse
power and moves at the rate Of % knots.
Torpedo Boats.
Not the least important are the DEATH
dealing torpedo boats, Of which, in 1885, the
reichstag ordered that $50 be built OF this
number, 90 are ready for use. Their speed
is 20 knots. These boats are designed as
protectors for the north coast Of Germany
and will be dangerous enemies for foreign
there are eight torpedo hunters" known as
torpedo divisions boats" They are twice
the size of the smaller vessels, carry light
guns and are also arranged for torpedoes
Their coal supply will suffice for $500 sea
miles, and they are intended for use In for
eign seas.
Several Of the fleet are used as school,
ships for cadets. and many others, which
have served their time in active service and
are not included in the list given above,
serve as transport and coal ships.
The kaiser's Yacht.
No German would consider a description
Of his navy complete without some mention
Of the emperor's yacht. in which he makes
pleasure excursions with his charming wife
and lively boys. or visits foreign powers,
and from which he reviews his navy In
1873. the Grille was found to be too small
for the Emperor Frederick's family and a
new yacht, the Hohenzollern, was built at
kiel. Up to the present time this has been
the royal yacht but now its name has been
changed to Kaiseradler. and the old family
name, Hohenzollern, will be conferred on
a fine. new vessel. which is still in the ship
yards Of Vulcan. at Bredow. 1t is finished,