The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-03
new FLAG DEFENDER
LAUNCHING OF THE MAMMOTH
UNITED STATES CRUISER
BROOKLYN.
THE FASTEST OF OUR WAR SHIPS

The Brooklyn is a Steel ArmOred
Cruiser and is Regarded as a Marvel
in the Art of Marine Architecture
Her Cost Exclusive of Armament is
S2,2SG, ,OOO-- Christened by Mayor
Schieren's only Daughter--One Ofthe
Prettiest Launches Ever Made.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa O5t. 2.-The NAM
moth United States cruiser, Brooklyn,
the latest addition to and probably the
fastest and most powerful of the feet
of flag defe4ders, was launched from
Cramps snip Yard to-day, under ausI /
cious circumstances Surrounding The
massive red and white hull, as she re-
ceived hsr bapiism of wine, was g0ody
representation Of national notables and "A
distinguished party from the city which
gives the fighting marine her name.
1t was exactly seven minutes past one
o'clock when the army of workers
knocked the last shores from the cradle
of the vessel and she slowly began her
first voyage 1t was then that, in re-
spouse to signal from Henry W. Cramp,
who stood by her side, Miss Ida May
Schieren, only daughter of the city of
Brooklyn's mayor, grasped the bottle of
American champagne, wrapped in the
stars and stripes, and crashing it upon
the big cruisers bow exclaimed: 81
christen thee Brooklyn"
Then the vessel sped down the creased
ways as lightly and gracefully as a swan,
while everything for miles around pos
sessed of the gilt of sound paid her trib-
ute. The shrieking of the whistles Of
the big ship building works and the nu
merous craft which dotted the river min
gIed with the roar OF the multitude Of
humanity which filed every inch of space
within the range of vision. Meantime,
the newest marvel Of marine architec
ture had plunged into the waters OF the
Delaware, where she rapidly lowered
anchors which brought her TO halt in
the middle of the stream.
1t was one of the prettiest launches
ever made at the ship yard, the cradle Of
the new navy.
While it was not attended by as much
pomp and ceremony as previous similar
events it was crowned with conspicuous
success.
The christening stand was reserved for
the guests from Washington and Brook
Ign, VINO were carried to this city il
special trains this morning. Above it
lowered the cruiser, decorated from stem
to stern with the entire code of signals
After the launch an informal luncheon
was served in the Mould Loft of the
works.
The Brooklyn is regarded by naval ex-
per,s as a marvel il the art Of marine
architecture She is clsssed as a steel
armored cruiser, having four eight inch
Ba bette turrets. Her cost, exclusive of
armament, is 81, 286, 900.
The principal dimensions in the Brook
Ign are:
Length on the load water line, 400 80
feet; beam extreme, GA 68 feet; draught,
mean normal, "a feet; displacement,
normal, 9,271 tons; indicated horse
power, 16, 900; speed in knots per hour,
"a; total capacity, 1853 tons; coal car
ried, normal displacement, 800 tons.
The same dimensions of the New York
are, respectively, $50 65 feet; GA 10 feet
% 35 feet; $500 tons; 1900; 81; 1890
tons; $50 tons.
She will have twin screws and four
engines of the vertical triple expansion
type, two on each shaft.
The ships battery will consist of eight
8inch breech loading rifles of 35 calibrei
twelve inch breech loading rifles of the
rapid-fre type; twelve six FOUNDER rapid
fire guns; four one FOUNDER rapid fire
guns, and four machine guns. The
inch guns will be mounted in four
barbette turrets, placed one forward and
one aft on the centre line, and one on
either side of the vessel amidship
She will have no side armor. Protec
tion to the hull will be given by steel
protective deck, worked from stem to
stern, and supported by heavy beams.
The bottom edges of this deck amidshjps
are to be five feet six inches below the
"a feet water line, the top of the deck
rising to the water line at the centre OF
the vessel.
Protection of the hull from injury tC
the water line region will be afforded by
means of an armor belt three inches IL
thickness, extending the length of the
machinery and boiler space, and in depth
from four feet above the "a foot water
line to four feet inches below the line
Protection to the smaller guns and their
crews will be afforded by an extra side
plating and the openings and shields.
The Brooklyn will have five torpedo
tubes, one in the bow and two on each
side. Six torpedoes and suitable allow
ance of gun cotton for mines and other
naval purposes will be carried on the
| ship AS a protection against hostile
torpedoes, she will have heavy wire net
tings carried out from the bow, stern
and sides by strong booms The shiF
will have radius of action at full speed
of / 1853 knots, and radius of action al
ten knots of 1908 knots. The compile
ment of officers and men will be 56l
persons.
Death OF Ex-senator CrOZier.