The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-22
THE COMPOSITE GUNBoATs.
New Feature of the American Navy
That VIII BE Tried.

WASHINGTON, April 2.-The DO ID of
naval bureau chiefs has been for the past
week spending many hours almost daily
in considering the designs for the six
composite gunboa1s ordered to be con-
structed by the last Congress, and it is
doubtful if the chiefs have been so much
perplexed and at variance since they first
undertook the work of revising plans for
the construction of naval vessels. 1t was
the intention to make these new vessels
midway in size between the Petrol type and
the Machias class, SO they were fixed as of
1886 tons displacement one purpose in keep
ing them just below 1000 tons being to per-
nit of the assignment to their command
of energetic junior officers who might de-
velop their executive faculties years before
they could aspire to command larger gun
boats and cruisers. Since this size has been
agreed on, however, there have been shown
evidences of a disposition to reopen the
subject and build two large and two small
boats, the latter specially designed for use
in the upper Chinese rivers, but it is improb-
able that this now, will prevail, as the
necessity for the presence of American
gunboats in such waters is not apparent in
times of peace, and they could not pass
forts in time of war. But the feature of
the plans which has developed the widest
difference of opinion is that of sail power,
for the designs prepared by the construc-
ton bureau as a basis for the boards action
include a full outfit of sails. The boats
have been given spread of canvas of
900 square feet 1t would be desirable
done without infringing on space otherwise
needed.
This amount of canvas practically makes
the gunboats full-powered sailing crafts,
and in this they will be much different
from any other of the vessels of the new
- Alc fta1
with auxiliary sail power, just enough to
enable them to keep on low Roadway in case
of accident to their machinery, but the
tendency in late years has been towards the
abandonment of sail power altogether, as
it has been commended that the loss of speed
resulting from forcing so much top hamper
into the teeth Of the wind is greater than
the assistance derived from running free
before the wind. 1t is also thought that
since the general adoption of twin screws,
the probabilities of accident have been
reduced as to Justify sails being ignored al
together Therefore, in the case of these
new boats, chief constructor Hichborn has
taken the ground that auxiliary sail is
either abandon sail altogether or be sup
piled with full sail power, enough to enable
coal until an emergency arose that required
them to make good speed. The construc-
ton bureau has adopted the latter view out
of consideration for the peculiar service for
which these vessels destined. They
will doubtless be used largely for service
on foreign stations where they may be
safely placed instead of larger ships, in the
interest of economy and will thus often be
in places where coal Is dif1cuit 70 obtain.
they will be able TO get along for two or
three years at time without going into
dock. that their ability TO keep the sea
and away from a home navy yard will de-
pend solely their ability to get along
without frequent coaling. For service at
Samoa. in the Gulf of Mexico and the
Caribbean sea, and on the expensive Ber-
g al sea mss he eSef sd S
sail power will make the vessels of great
value and that they will be the most econ
omical cruisers in the navy He has also
pointed out that the ships so equipped viii
prove to be almost the only practical
school our navy officers find 10 study
sail navigation. and this is important
point in time of war. when prizes may be
made of sailing vessels which must be sent
to port IN charge of competent navigator.
The other bureau officers OF the depart
naent have not as yet accepted the views
Of the chief constructor this point, and
some of them are urging that the vessels
be given twin screws. which would require