New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
FOREIGN NAVAL NOTES.

| It needs argument to show to even a novice
| that the war weapons of to-day especially the dy
Mantle and gun-cotton and powder charges of the
modern proectiles, dangerous things to handle,
| even by expert If one can have assurance of
safety in handling them. the horrors and appre-
tensions in actual war or even in experiments are
much modified Assurances are sometimes given
however and here is an instance: cable dispatch
from tars rev DAYS ago % spoke 81 new o aiS 20
six kiogrammes with force of 800 metres concus-
cannot explode before the breech is finally closed"
If the writer had been expert he would probably
of 800 metres q $40 YARDS a second. and that the
premature explosion OF the charge not the shot, is
guarded against.
The Argentine Government has recently pur-
chased the armored cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi.
vessel of $500 tons displacement and 1900 horse
power. from Italy The vessel was in course of
construction for the Italian Navy. but as the build
er promised to construct similar vessel and de-
liver to the Italian Navy as soon as the Giuseppe
Garibaldi was to be delivered the e Italian Govern
Is also to be changed. The Italian Government re-
eight armored cruisers, two of which are to be
butt at Castelanare, and the others are to be laid
down at spezia. Leghorn, Venice and Taranto
The four first class cruisers-to be second in size
10 the battle-sho Terribleto be built for the Eng
lsh Navy Uhree by contract and one at the Penn
broke Dock) to be named the Androreda, the
Dladem the Europa and the Niobe They are to
be of steel sheathed with teak and copper to avoid
length GO feet beam. 25i4 feet draught, and $500
horsepower. The main armament Is to consist
two military mass. the forward one being fitted
with two military tops and the after one with one
military top. In each of which Will be mounted J.
FOUNDER guns.
The armored cruiser Blake of the English Navy,
which vessel made cruise in Atlantic waters
about two years ago. has recently been fitted with
new boilers and with double-combustIon chambers.
In a recent series of trials she developed horse
power of &l2 and mean speed for the four
hours run Of 2l,5 knots; She was originally de-
figure with her old boilers. She corresponds closely
with the United States armored cruiser New-iork
The British Board of Admiralty have not favored
the adoption of the triple screw; in fact the men,
bers say they will have none of them" The
Board takec the view that every multiplication OF
comp.exity. especially below the water line, where
IL IS difficult to reach to repair when ahoat should
be avoided, and so long az q knots can be main
opposition 10 the three screws.
The Russian Navy still continues to be increased
II will soon have added to its active list three
shps-the Oslyabya and Pcreswelt. steel battle
ships about HOO tons displacement, and an Inn
pr!yement on the Rrrc M type and the protected
years ago borne by large screw wooden frigates in
The Baltic fleet.
The Spanish Government is reported to have
taken steps to charter six OF the steamships of
La Compaha Trasa tlantca OF Cadiz, and arm and
equip them for service in Cuban waters. She Will
also send Of her small glnboats TO Cuban
waters Of which she has list cf thirty-nine.
Spain has also determined to build n protected
cruiser to the place of the unfortunate Relna
Regente lost few months ago. and two 2S-knot
torpedo boat destroyers to take the places Of the
Cristobal Colon and Sanchez Baraca!zteg IT Is
also said that the vessels Will receive the
names of the old vesse's Notwithstanding the
Spanards have been accused by OF having
some quasi supersttious feelings.
Brazlrs naval building programme has appeared
in of the Rio Janelro newspapers. Ii Includes
two armored sea-gong coast defence ironclads
which have been ordered at La Seyne; three 5000
ton 1912 knot protected cruisers two torpedo gun
vessels OF loo tons displacement each and - knots
speed: eight torpedO-boat destroyers OF 26 knots
speed, six ordinary torpedo boats and five subma-
rine torpedo boats OF the t"pe OF the French tor
ned, hOaf