The National tribune., 1895-04-18
ARMY AND NAVY,


The Construction Bureau of the Navy is
engaged in the preparation of the plans for
the two battleshps, six gunboats and three
torpedo boats authorized by the last Con gress
and within the next few months contracts will
BIO awarded for all. The gunboats' designs are
practically completed, and it is expected that
bids will be asked for their construction before
the end of the month. All six of these boats are
to have full sail power, and will be built with a
special view to housing missionaries and others
requiring protection OF United States vessels
in countries such as China and the Central
American States.
The great problem the Bureau has to deal
with however, is the designs for the battle
ships. Already serious differences of opinion
have arisen between the Ordnance and Con-
structon officers over the ealiber and number of
guns they should carry. The Ordnance Bureau
insists that they should mount the heaviest
guns made for the Navy, and carry two 13-inch
rifles in the two turrets, forward and aft. while
the Construction Bureau contends that the dis
position of all foreign naval powers is toward
a considerable reduction in the weight and
size of the heaviest rifles, and that the new
vessels should not have larger than 12-inch
ordnance Figures made by Naval Constructor
Taylor of the Bureau, show that there must be
meterial difference IN the sizs of the new
battleships if 13-inch guns are determined
upon. The addition of weight he shows,
WOuIu DO lou tODS, ana enaOle q SNIP TO
carry this she would have to be several feet
longer and broader, and the engine power in
creased.
The great contract made by Secretary Whit
ney for furnishing the new naval ships with
the best armor protection that this country
affords will be closed within tho next two
months when upwards of 10000 tons OF all
thicknesses will be delivered TO the Govern
ment, at a cost Of nearly SI2, 600. 600 exclusive
OF the loss sustained on plates through tho
balistic trials. In the next few days over
600 tons Of tho thickest armor made Tor the
battlesbips will receive ballstc tests at the
Indian Head proving station, and if it is ae-
cepted tho last of these groups will be ready
for the shipbuilders. This armor is Is inches
thick, each plate weighing 40 tons and costing
about $4,000. They represent groups of 10
plates each for the side armor of the Massa-
chusetts and Oregon, and If they stand the at
tacks Of l3-inch gun without suffering serious
consequences tho contract for the heaviest
armor will have been carried out with but one
plate having failed TO meet the requirements.
Some months ago Admiral Meade, before the
Institute of Naval Architects annual meeting
in New York, attacked the triple-screw cruisers
Columbia and Minneapolis commonly known
as the Pirates" claiming that they were un-
successful experiments, expensive luxuries, and
altogether undesirable additions to the Navy,
not to be compared with the New York and
other vessels for utility. At Trinidad, where
the Minneapolis joined Admiral Meade. all the
vessels Of the feet loaded with the coal,
which made all conditions equal. On leaving
that port the other day the Admiral ordered
13-knot rate of speed to be maintained to La
Guayra When half way over the Admiral
signalled to the Minneapolis to learn If she
could go any faster without increasing her half
boiler power, which she was using, and on re-
ceiving al affirmative reply, at p. M ordered
her to go ahead for seven hours. The Minne-
apolis Immediately went ahead, and at shutdown
had left the fleet hull down. 1t was found
afterwards that she had burned 81 tons of coal
in "a hours. while the New York had consumed
81 tons in the same time