New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-04
IN BrILD COMPOSITE GUNBOATS.
SECRETARY HEIBERT's APPROVAL OF i"i
PLANS FOR wARsHIps OF THIS KIND


PLANS FOR wARsHIPS OF THIS KIND
Tho onrrovol bv Secretary Herbert Of the recon-
merdotion OF the Board OF bureau N"ieis
Of the Navy Department to build TWO "
the l2OOton gunboats on the composite pan -
radical change OF the practice OF the past III '"e
American Navy, although this method OF cohS'ru'"
has been pmctised to or less extent In iores"
naves especially BY the British Admiralty ine
composi,e tyne means that the frames OF the Vcsse9
and mart Of the structure above the wafer me ps
made Of steel but that the hull be covered Win oH
sheahed with copper thus making them praeli,ca1g
sheathed ships. These two Vessrla e M tvpe an
class gunboats. Of the twinsmfew E e 10
thorlzed by the last Congress. and VIII racm 10 Id
tons greater displacement than 'hn n, I'' W." The
third one will be built OF steel throughout ana ,io
will give "A fair opportunity to compar,g VA n length
so feet breadth Of beam. SO feet danS, TO Do
tom Of keel II ie s aSS c%s feet
mum supply $50 tons. The arI naine a ,vl twn
Win consist Of eight 4nch four 0Po inner and and one
l-pounder rapid firing breechloaahs r''' ~
Chief Naval Constructor T. d. Wilson ion mmu Years
ant Constructor Philip Ichborn have ior nf ih hot
urged the Importance Of the preserva11h t,Ing and
toms Of steel Vessels from % @ reports r Of loss
speed increased consumption OF coal cAPe'i,e nnr
Tosion From the first there have been two opposing
opinions among the experts as 10 the 'Np'uo" oSvo
satsa my system have pointed out that the accumu
ton Of animal and vegetable growtls on .a on
and the accumulation OF rust are mum $50 co,-
unsheathed vessels: and that no paint nor any ,oora
position has been discovered to prevent ms de,rr ,h
lion OF vessel and loss OF speed they also urge M
"pittlnc- TO which all steel hulls are liable,
In waters OF ATTITUDES, Is great drawback I'm
ininry OF that character Is more permanent IN. II.
opponents to the shea,hing principle have urged that
more frequent docking would promise "a conpi,e,o
remedy but this would not be practicable on i0irE..
stations in time OF and II might also BE- ul'''
n not Impossible to obtain docking facilities bcra".
OF the caution OF foreign nations their lack q.
sympathy with the United states Then, too' '"'
expense OF frequent docking would be- great
In his report for 1901 Commodore Wilson says.
.Tno only valid objection that has been urged against
Steel hull should there be- on account OF bad WORN
manship any leak through the wood slcaiilng per.
m,ftinc galvanic action 10 lie set up between the
conner and steel. In this case II Is undoubtedly tr"
and that repairs may be necessary. number OF inc
sarlv sheahed ships have required extensive repair,
On This account: but with careful inspection anu
GOOD workmanship the danger OF corrosion OF the
Steel hull Is entirely removed"
,.ureau OF Construction has repeatedly rcc0n
r,ond.d that all cruising vessels intended for gen.
col scrvice I'm foreign waters should be <eathcd II
shove 600 tons displacement vessels OF less thhii
- ,e1mS cnnboats etc. should be Of composite con
str,ction namely with steel framing. WOOD outside
nlank,np and copper sheathing me TWO comPnSne
mnh"s,e referred 10 TO he bllt upon These INES
NJ material All OF the cruising ennbons bniit Tor
~ w,,ih Navy since 1886 OF composite con
s1n,,nn This enables them 20 be coppered. and so
rsma,n ,t sco for long periods OF mc Without Deis
docIed plans and specification, Tor a composite
rnnho,t of the displacement OF Inc fetrei were pre-
pared by the Bureau OF Construc, on u. me 'u ,h
on,n,on ~ the department vessels OF ms ciass are
Particularly adapted for service III .hntsr, We,
Indian and south American waters on account VI
t1eir shallow draft and freedom from iouiins'