The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-10-19
IMPROVING THE NAVY
Two Of Uncle Sans New Gunboats 10 Sc
Launched at Newport News To-Day.
THE NASHVILLE AND THE WILMINGTON.
n Full Description of tie Two vessels
ami Nhnt They Are EN pccicd "a 30
Designed by Chicr Naval Con-
strucior Hitchborn How the
I.aunch May be Seen by Our People.

At noon to-day two more of the vcs-
sells composing Uncle SANS new navy
VIII float upon the waters of Chcsa-
peaie Bay. They are the Nashville
and Wilmington. which have been
building at Newport News during the
past year. 1t Will be the second time
in the history of this country chen two
war vessels have been launcheS on the
same day, and 1t is probable that thou
sands of people Will witness the great
spectacle.
The awarding of the contract for
building three gunhonts for the United
states Government to tn" Newport
News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Com
paiy WAS an important event to this
section. for ii turned the ewes of all the
| world unon us and told the people of
this country that Virginia could sue
ceSSfully compete with any section 81
America in the construction of ships.
The two vessels which will to-day
slide upon the waters of Hampton
roads Will compare, in point Of work
innnship; with amy in TN" world. The
inst VIII enter tn" water about g
O'Clock and the second two hours later.
according to the programme as ar
ranged. The people of this city VIII
have ample opportunity to witness
the launches. for many of the steamers
VIII run excursions To the big ship
Yards. leaving here early his morning.
The guuhoatS Nashville and Whining
ton. though differing in many details,
are practically the first vessels OF the
new navy, which. while perfectly sea-
worthy for round the world Cruis-s with
their remarkably large radius OF action.
are peculiarly adaptable for service oi
the inland waters of the United States;
ana other countries and by reason OF
comparatively moderate draft may
he expected to visit localities where war
ships are virtually unknown. ON the
stocks beside them. the Helena. Il Siste.
SNIP IN every particular is ready to hc
launched next week. and these Vcss,ls.
drawing only nine feet OF water are ant
10 prove the most useful steamers own
cd by the United States. They are do
signed for river service. more for utility
IN protecting American property and
citizens VI the YauEtSc kiang above tho
points now reached hy armed vessels
than for possible auNiliarieS To- land
forces in times OF riot ON the Miygissiuui
ana it's tributaries. but for the latter
purpose they could always be available
Ihc Nashville. while OF slightly greater
displacement aud depth. can enter All
inc shallow Southern ports and in times
OF such roublr as thatof last year al
Blueileld. when IN" American mon-oC-
war M"f" compelled To anchor in the
pen roadStcad, they could 20 right into
lile harbor and command the town with
thrlr suns. These vessels are prnbu-
-" ~ '"EA VI lu'll size Itlfit the n1ttI
states viii build u~nshcathcd with wood.
NolEr"SS having Observation-Disclosures am
~il~uNrrtence that they should be ..st,rI
S~HnDoatS. which led to an oDiniru
from tbs" Attorney General AT Tho linn,
'ndt theF must he constructed wholly
81 steel The kctls We're laid the latter
part oi last year by the Ncwport New.
snip Building Company. under coutrnri
10 complete the vessels by January "Gth
next year. at Il cost OF $3.50, Un0 each TN.
~\"ShNillc must maintain IL knots urr
h"ur WIN a premium or penalty q:
900" Il knot above or below thai ns-
urc. II below IL knot. the snia win
u" rejected. The other two vessels are
10 nave a maximum speed OF IL knots.
rnngemcnts Of tn, %nshynuI,
were designed by chief naval Con
itructor Philip IIichborn. who has de.
'iShSu all the recent American Warships
nat hove become fuIuous thruurho,It
the world. on account OF their Spctl
ana other superior qualities. \ uuutlc
n"ttoin IS So arranged IN auh-diviSi, us
mat at least two OF the vessels skins
NuSt he pierced to admit water ,o til,
hfc rooms. besides which there is :.
Watcr-tiHht deck near the water Inc.
Wilch, WITH the a huuktra. protect
al the ship's "~vitals." m, \ashyilIr
Is schooner rugged fore and art. ii,r
general features ana dimensions are.
Length on the load water line. normal
disbursement. 30 feet: maNirum
Creadtn. moulded. So feet: mean drJtcif
~ normal displacement. II feet: normal
displacement l.2Gl tons: free board. nj
DOW | feet II inches: free board "a
stern, 10 feet = inches: coal carried al
normal displacement, l5u tons: f.Ii coal
capacity, $50 tons: speed, contract. is
knots. -
ttor complement viii consist OF II Of
hcriS, ~ sailors and 10 marines. the
NeSSeIS battery win f,u, j.
men guns, mounted in the open ON Tho
mann deck. two being placed forward
ana TWO at. in pairs. on opposite Std,a
Of the ship; four finch guns IN az
ih"lru Sponsors on tho gun deck tv,
on oa'h ~bFoadstdc. amidshipS: four Il
"under i~lotchkiSs gums. Two forward
an" iWo aft. i'll l-inch nrmor,d sponsors
on 'hr Sundeck. Two l-roundcr Hotch-
KISS and two Calling guns will be car.
rlcd on the main deck. also carries
Il Whitehead torpedo OUTFIT.
IN" essentially novel feature of
me Nashville is hor machinery. do
SiSned under the direction of chief
Engineer Melville. OF the Navy.
me craft will be propelled by twin
screws. and the motive power win con
SYST OF W sets OF vertical inverted
q~uhdruple expansion engines. having
cHIlndcr diametors OF ii. Il. u. and =;
inches respectively, with a stroke of
eighteen inches. The low-prcSSure cy-
ilhders are placed forward of the other
Cylinders, so arranged that they
can be disconnected when il is not de-
sired TO run the engines at full power
ne remaining cylinders will run as