The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-07-26

stages thrown out fore and aft, the
illusion is more complete. The struc-
ture has all the fittings that belong tc
an actual modern war vessel, such as
guns, turrets, torpedo tubes, torpedo
nets and hooms, with boats, anchors,
davits. awnings AID deck fittings, to-
gether with steam winches and other
appliances for working the same Off
GERS, seamen and marines hEve been
detailed by the navy department dur
ing the exposition period. and the dis
cipline and mode of life on United
States war vessels are completely illus
trated- While the complement Of men
Is not so great as actually employed on
war vessels, the number Is sufficient to
carry out the gun drills. torpedo drills
and osler ship exercises daily.
The destructive force of the Massa-
chusetts. one Of the crack ships of the
United States navy, is amply presented
in its counterpart, the model battleship
Illinois. The dimensions of the model
are those Of the chusetts-length,
S4s feet; width amidships 90 feet inches;
depth from water line 70 main deck, Z
feet Centrally situated on the main
deck is a superstructure 5 feet high
with a hammock berthing above feet
high, and above these are the bridge.
chart house and small boats. At the
forward end Of the superstructure is a
cone-shaped tower called the military
mast, near the summit Of which are
two circular tops, intended as look
outs for sharpshooters. The height
from the water line to the summit Of
the military mast is &c feet, and above
Is placed flagstaff for signaling.
The battery is powerful and murder
Gus. The shells thrown from the big
guns VIII pierce almost any armor
known save that nickel armor~ plate
which is used exclusively sy United
States vessels. There are four 1S-inch
breech-loading rifled cannon, eight s
inch breech-loading rified cannon, four
G-inch rifles, twenty 6-pound rapid
firing guns, six l-pOund rapid-hring
guns, two Gatling guns in the tower
and six torpedo guns. All Of these are
mounted as in a genuine battleship,
and every point OF the compass IS with
in range Of some of these deadly guns
when the vessel is at anchor. On the
starboard side of the ship-the side
nearest the pier, ye landsmen-is
shown the torpedo protection net,
reaching the entire length of the imita-
tion craft Steam launches and cut
ters ride at the booms and all the out
ward appearance Of real warship IS
initiated
The superstructure shows the cabins,
staterooms, messrooms, galieys. lava
tories, oerthings, lockers and fittings
for the crew. and the manner in which
the officers and enlisted men live is
illustrated. On the superstructure
deck and bridge is shown the manner
in w-hich the rapid-fring guns, search
lights and boats are handled. The en-
trance 70 sc coming tower is from the
Geclz. and in this are ali the appur-
tenarces that the captain has At his
disposal when taking the ship into bat
tie ana during the progress Of 4 fight
at sea. Az electric light plant IS in
stalled and provisions made for heating
the vessel iy steam.
- much for figures Details are inn
possible IN the limits Of newspaper
article. The general outline of the ex-
hibit may be stated in comprehensive
way by affirming that with the excep-
ton that the crew Is not up to the full
number the bnttleship Massachusetts
Is in evidence at Jackson park Blu;
IN place OF the tons Of stores and am.
munition carried on the Massachusetts
the Illinois Is filed with relies of naval
warfare dating back TO revolutionary
days, museum of paintings and Other
priceless articles from the naval de.
partmenf. an exhibit from the naval
academy at Annapolis. and other dis
plays that appeal directly to the peo
pie who help Uncle sam keep up hi,
naval war department.
The Annapolis department is chiefly
interesting as showing the curriculum
of the school, but there are some pho
tographs and autographs that collect
ors would give vast sums to acquire. II
the exhibit of the naval autboritie.
are relics that crowds linger about
with reverent awe. Old-fashionet
cannons. ruined with rust, that en-
abled Commodore Perry TO send thai
thrilling message, we have met ths
enemy and they are ours" after the
battle Of Lake Eriei oil paintings o