Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-07-30

THE CRUISER MISNEAPoLIS.
 overhaul the valuable prey. During tho Revolution and the war of 1872 supe- rior speed on the part of our war yes sells was a great factor in their success.
 In the first year of the war for Amer ican independence the Yankee warship Providence, under the command of gal lant John Paul Jones, time and again escaped capture by her ability to outsail the pursuing British frigates. Good sailing also enabled the Reprisal to escape British ship of line and con- tinue her depredations along the English coast in l777, and superior speed alone allowed the Lexington, Surprise and Re- venge to remain in English waters and sweep away the enemy's commerce ill that memorable conflict
 During the war of 1872 the United States navy of barely F efficient ships was pitted against LOGO vessels of the British, and yet by superior speed such famous Yankee cruisers as the Presi- dent, Essex, Chesapeake, Wasp, Pea cock, Enterprise, Siren and Adams secured the seas where Britannia was supposed to rule and inflicted unprcce- dented loss upon the kings commerce. In one cruise the Adams was chased five times by British frigates of superior armament and at one time remained within gunshot for 40 hours before she succeeded in getting away. How valu- able then was even an extra quarter of knot of speed!
 In 1915 the Hornet was chased for 72 hours by the 74 gun ship of line Cornwall lis. Commander Riddle frightened ship by throwing overheard arms, powder and about every movable thing aboard, but he finally succeeded in eluding his big pursucr. At another time the Re prisal escaped by saving away her bull warks and throwing overheard her guns and shot. She at once refitted and con tinued her career of destruction. Run ming away, however, was not all our gallant ships did, for during the first seven months of the war of 1872 they captured over 90 British armed vessels, 250 merchantmen and 3, 900 prisoners.
 The premium and penalty system, which has given the navy such excel lent ships, was introduced by Secretary Whitney. Since then 17 vessels have earned in premiums the big sum of $2. 264, 5S6, according to the New York Sun, and vessels awaiting trial will increase the sum to an even 3. .000, 900. Among the 10 contract ships remaining to be tried Is the torpedo boat Ericsson. which must show speed of 24 knots. She will receive g, 800 for every quar- ter knot she makes above 24, and if she exceeds 25 knots B, 500 per quarter be- yond that point. She will probably dis place the Minneapolis as the navy's fastest ship. The ram Katadin will re- ceive Sl 5, 900 for each quarter knot be- yOnd the contract stipulation of F knots, and the gunboats Penguin, AL batross and Porpoise are to get $20, 900 for full knot in excess of the contract speed
 The battleships Indiana, Oregon and Massachusetts, built for fighting and not running away, will receive S25, 900 per quarter knot above 15 knots The gunboat Castine earned $50, 900 pre- mium and the Machias and Bancroft $45, 900 each. In the case of all these ships similar deductions are made pro- vided they fail to develop contract speed.
 The Minneapolis is 4I2 feet long, 5S feet beam. 22 feet 61e inches draft and displaces 1850 tons. She can carry 2. 200 tons of coal. Her armament con- sists of one s inch 10 caliber rifle, two inch, eight 4 inch. eight six pounders, fnnr one pounders and fonr gatling guns