The Delta independent., 1895-11-20
The Now Navy.

The United States navy is growing
apace. ss the vessels whose construction
he's been authorized by congress during
the last few years are launched, tested
and put in commission. The White
Squadron" Of cruisers, whose appear
auce has given SO much satisfaction to
patriotic Americans, was the precursor
type. Among the latest additions to
the navy are battle-ships OF the first and
second class. armed cruisers, gunhoatE
and the unique and powerful ram Ka-
tahdin.
The official trial OF the Indiana. which
took place Oct. 18th. was OF more than
ordinary interest, because the Indiana
is the first battle-ship OF the first class
built in this country. and is regarded as
one Of the most formidable vessels
atioat. The course was between Cape
Ann and Boone Island. The ship eI-
ceeded the required speed OF fifteen
knots an hour by more than half knot,
thereby earning for her builders, the
dollars.
The Indiana is steel ship three hun.
dred and forty eight feet in length. and
with displacement OF something more
than ten thousand tons. Yet she an
swered her helm SO readily on her trial
on her trial trip she was turned within
circle of four hundred yards radius.
Heavy armor protects her hull, deck
and turre!s. She carries four thirteen
inch guns, eight eight-inch and four
siI-inch breech-loading rifles. besides
twenty sir FOUNDER and six one FOUNDER
rapid-tire guns, two Gatlings and six
torpedo tubes. Her total weight OF
armament compares favorably with that
cign powers.
The day after the trial trip OF the In.
diana, two gunboats, the Nashville and
Wilmington, were launched ut Newport
News. This was the first occasion since
the civil war OF the launching OF two
vessels for the navy on the same day.
The gunboats, which are built OF steel.
are specially designed for service in
shallow waters.
A novel feature OF the Nashville is TIE
arrangement OF her machinery. which is
designed to sccure economy OF fuel at
cruising speed by means OF low pressure
cylinders SO arranged as to disconuect
when working at reduced power. The
Wilmington is OF very light draught,
and her hull aft is OF unusual shape. be-
ing followed out into two tunnels, to
admit Of an easy flow OF water to the
screws.
The armored cruiser Brooklyn was
launched October 2nd, at the Cramps
shipyard. She is sister ship to the
New York, but larger and OF greater dis
placement, and combines speed, endur-
ance and fighting capacity in high de
gree. Her estimated speed is twenty
knots an hour.
The armored cruiser Maine. which
was put in commission in September, is
the most powerful vessel in the navy
with the exception Of the Brooklyn and
the Indiana. She not SO large as tie
New York or the Columbia, but is heav-
lily armorcd. as they are not, and carries
powerful armament. She made sew
enteen knots an hour on her trial trip.
The Texas. also a recent addition to
the navy. is classed as second-rate
battle ship. She carries fewer gurs
than the Maine, but two OF them are Of
greater caliber.
Three first class battle-ships, sister
vessels to the Indiana, are nearing com
pletion. and will be put in commission
in few months. These are the Massa-
chusetts, Oregon and Iowa, aud they
are expected to be ready in the order
named.
The two battle ships authorized by
the last congress are to carry two-storied
turrets, the lower having two thirteen.
inch guns and the upper two eight-inch
guns. The purpose OF this arrangement
is to permit the concentration OF an
enormous weight Of shot on given
point.
The experiment is regarded with ap-
prehension by some naval experts be-
cause OF the great increase OF exposed
surface. and the possibility that a single
well directed shot, by disabling one
Of the turrets, might put four guns out
OF use.--1ouths Companion.
District No. 10.