New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-29
PANS on BiTTIE-SHIPS.

The decision of Secretary Herbert that the
rams on the new batte-shps shall be placed
o feet instead Of ) feet & inches, below the
waterlnc marks new departure in American
naval architecture II Is the adoption Of the
English as opposed TO the French, idea OF con-
struction. The British put the points Of their
rams II feet below the water-line, while the
French place them at the surface. Hitherto our
construction has been a compromise, but Com
modore Sicard recently criticised with respect
to the ram the plans for the Kearsarge. and the
subject was referred to a special board which.
I'm spite Of some adverse opinion presented to it,
made the recommendation for change which
the Secretary has now approved.
The high ram is defended on the theory that
the blow Of "A ram is destructive, no matter where
/, j. delivered because Of its great weight. and
deeply sunk wedgelike projection is criticised
because Of It's tendency TO depress the bow OF
"A vessel when going through the water. On the
other hand, it Is argued that no chance should
be lost TO Use any weapon at an cnemys most
vulnerable point. even If II is able to do serious
damage elsewhere At the waterline Il ram
would have to encounter heavy armor in fight
ing protected enemy. and even when ~ feet
below the surface except when the roll OF the
opponent happened TO be favorable would not
be so certain Of striking weak place. BY fix
ing the weapon lower vulnerable spot Is almost
certain to be hit. and blow delivered at low
speed would be more effective than one at Il
greater rate might be against the armor. More
over in some vessels the boilers low down are
close to the skim while higher up they have the
protection Of the coal-bunkers and the deep ram
is more likely to do damage to the vitals Of IN
enemy without penetrating far than one nearer
the surface. Thus in an encounter ship might
be disabled at close quarters without the ire
mendous impact which would make it a matter
of Indifference where the stroke was delivered.
Such meetings may be improbable with pres
ent ornaments but they are properly to be con-
sidered In the equipment of Il vessel as well as
in the training OF Il crew. and boarding exercise
holds Il prominent place in United States Navy
drill.
The ram is coming more and more to be re-
garled rs IN effective weapon. and many naval
authorities believe that the torpedo Is its most
formidable rival. The lives of heavy guns are
limited well as the quantity of ammunition
that can be carried. Some English naval archi-
tects assert that The protection 10 gun crews on
modern ships is entirely inadequate, and that in
anything like close warfare they could never be
manned In heavy sea aim would be so mac
curae that most OF the ammunition would be
wasted At such times n tactican would be
likely 10 conclude that swords were better than
pistols for n duel, and. taking his whole shin
for weapon. engage In fencing match with
his enemy. Torpedocs might interfere seriously
with this game. but when g,lnfire proved in
effective both commanders might begin manoeu-
far
same time. II the latter reached their mark ON
either side he battle would probably be ended
Otherwise. he who could deliver u blow with his