The morning call., 1893-04-07
A NEW DEPARTURE.

What is the new type of cruiser to be
introduced ia England? 1t is not in the
ordinary category of war vessels, but be-
longs to some new design about which
great secrecy Is maintained. The only Off
cial announcement made on the subject is
that the new cruisers are to he in advance
of any examples of naval architecture yet
afOat in three very important qualities-
speed, armament and armor. No details
have been stated. There is simply the
round prediction that these cruisers will be
without rival. In displacement there can
be little further advance. The heaviest
battle-ships in the English navy, such as
the Royal Sovereign, have a displacement of
H. $50 tons. Beyond that it is not conceiv-
ably DESTROYS TO go, especially as the cost
of such a vessel is close upon S., 900, 600.
But in speed there may be great gain, the
greatest horsepower being only for these
leviathans 1000 Two commercial steam
ers now being finished by the builders have
actually more than double the horse power
above stated. In armor there may be de-
cided Improvement, as England has adopted
from America the Harvey method of treat
ing steel plates, and finds that the resistance
is increased by nearly 60 per cent compared
with other kinds Of armor.
A news agency which, in matters of fact,
is usually reliable states that the new
cruisers are to be 500 feet long, with 20 feet
beam, and that the cost is to be SO, SOC, 900
or S4S0,000 more than the estimated cost of
the battle-ship Indiana, recently launched
by Messrs Cramp of Philadelphia. For
this enormous outlay there ought to be
value in some shape. If the dimensions
cited are accurate it is evidently the inten-
ton to produce huge vessels of large coal
carrying capacity, and able at very high
speed TO keep the sea for a considerable
period and to make long voyages without
recoaling 1t is quite possible that with
length approaching within 100 feet of the
largest merchant steamers, and with very
wide beam, the new type OF cruisers may
only have a moderate draught and yet have
great displacement. Such a length is as
much in advance Of existing war vessels as
tie most recent merchant steamers are in
advance OF those constructed ten years ago.
There ought to be abundance of space for
engines and boilers. the accommods ton for
which is usually very cramped; and corre-
sDondingly the bunker capacity NAV be ex.
pected to be greater II such cruiser has
steamlng radius at fun speed at all ap-
preaching the big commercial steamers and
at low speed is capable of trebling the
radius, the new departure will be anxi-
ously studied by other countries, and as
soon as approved initiated. The Harvey
plates render q moderate thickness of
armor sufficient for all ordinary emergen-
cies. and the deck strength should be suffi.
cient for guns OF the heaviest practicable
caliber on shipboard. Perhaps one of the
primary objects in view is to dispense with
subsidies for reserve commercial cruisers.
which cost large sum annually on the
understanding that during war they may
be requisitioned for service immediately.
The latter have been called appropriately
the eyes of the navy. Ali the other re.
quisites besides the eyes should be found in
4Ia NO ~ ,,aecafe