Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-13
ID RACE FOR TIE RECORD The Cruiser CoIumbiaIs in Dock X at Southampton lss ,RAFLYR RUNACR0SS OCEAN 2
 fiIl She Make the Time of the Transatlantic
 Express Steamer2 NAVAL OFFICERS GIVE HER SEVEN DAYS Secretary Herbert Calls for Proposals for the Construction of Gunboats ofa Novel
 Type-To Be Useful and
 Economical.
JRAFLY RUN ACROSS OCEAN
NAVAL OFFICERS GIVE HER SEVEN DAYS

Washington, July 12.-The announce ment that the cruiser Columbia had been placed in dry dock at Southampton to have her bottom cleaned and made ready for her race across the ocean for war ship record was confirmed by Secretary of the Navy Herbert today, who, it ap- pears, had given Captain Sumner permis- sion some days ago to incur the expense. This will materially change the condi- tions under which the Columbia will make the race, placing her in better con- dition, as far as clean hull is concerned, than most of the transatlantic passen- ger steamers when their records were made, and removes one of the possible excuses should she make poor showing. It only remains now to increase the force of firemen on the vessel to make her equal in all respects to the other vessels of the same coal capacity running be- tween New York and European ports. Naval officers predict that the Colum- bia will sight Sandy Hook light house in about seven days after she leaves Southampton, and that it would be un- fair to expect any greater performance from her after such long run. Secretary Herbert has called for pro- posals for the construction Of six light draught composite gunboats, which con | $230, 900 each, exclusive of armament. Four of these vessels are to be equipped with considera ble sail power in addition to steam, the other two having masts for military purpo ses only. The great inno- vation involved in these vessels as far as the American navy is concerned, is the fact that while their frames and general construction will be of steel, their hullS are to be sheathed with wood and copper The essential reasons for this method of construction and for the selection of the types are that the vessels will be largely independent of docking facilities and economical in the use of fuel. The dock ing expenses, whether at home or abroad, and the cost of fuel, are two very serious outlays that these vessels are counted upon to minimize, while their activity, range of action and general efficiency are greatly increased.
 The character of the service for which these gunboats are particularly designed requires that they be exposed to mus ketry fire and the housing of the major part of the battery by an unbroken deck, besides adding materially to the stiffness and strength of the vessels, gives admi- rable protection to the gun crews in ac- ton. The necessarily exposed position of the bow and the stern guns is justified only bN their arc of fire and possible use fulness in running action, while for the river service, for which these boats are particularly fitted the disposition of the gundeck battery is all that could be de- sired.
 The vessels with sail power have sin gle screws. The steam-propelled boats have twin screws and differ in many ways.
 The armaments, being identical in both types, will consist of six 4-inch, four six pounder and two one-pounder guns. all rapid fire.