The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-06
TWIN LAUNCHING AT BATH.
aUNBoA1S pIoKsBURG IND NEW.
FORT We THE UirS.

vicksburg Christened by The Daughter OF
the Mayor of vickshnrS, nnd the New
port by a Descendant OF Commodore
Perry - Vessels Have Compi ,tc nuii-.
BATH. Me-. Dec. 5.-1ho United States gun.
boats Vlcksburg and Newport wero launched NJ
the Bath Iron Works to-day. Two thousand
people witnessed the twin launching. There
were Atty people from Newport, including tho
Mayor ana Aldermen. Mayor Trowbridge Of
Nicksburg also attended. At l2:l5 i. NJ. tho
workmen began wedg!ng up, and at l":2O tho
Nicksburg began to slide from the ways. Miss
Addie Trowbridge of VicksburR, daughter Of
the Mayor, broke tho ribbon-covcred cham
pagne bottle on u" stern. saying:
81 christen thee Vicksburg, and may your
history be as memorable as that OF your name
sake"
Tho VicksburG slid slowly down the ways and
gradually took the plunge. The workmcn mt
once went to tho Newport, and AT 1888 the cry,
There she goes" arose. Miss LafarRe Of New
port, grcat-grnnddaughtcr OF Commodore
Perry. broke the champagne bottle and chris
tened the boat Newport. Tho Newport dclcEn-
ton Envc three cheers for the gunboat and
three for Miss Lafarge. Tho second boat made
n swlfter slide and more graceful plunge. The
whistics OF the city blew in n deafeninG manner
during both launchings.
These gunbDats are OF what is known as COM
posite construction, tho entire franc of steel
being pianked below the water. The ~planking
Is covered with copper. the advantage of this
over the steel being that the vessel will not need
docking for wears. and may make uninterrupted
cruises of seven or eight years. Each boat has
three full decks running the entire length of
the vessel.
The length over all il 200 feet, and 1873 feet
between perpcndiculars. The team between
mOuldingS is 30 feet D inches. and extreme
beam 80 feet. The mean draught Is IL feet,
and the displacement 900 tons. As compared
with the Machias and Castine. these new boats
are - feet shorter, ! feet wider. and OF the
same displacement. The rig is that of n bark
entine. and the area OF the nine principal sails
will be i II 800 feet.
The armament consists OF six 4-inch rapid
fire breech loading rifles, four 6-round rapid
gun will be mounted on the spar deck forward
and one aft, with two OH each side of the gun
deck ainldships. Ths six-pounder- are mounted
one on each size forward. one on each side
aini'isi,ips. anu one l-pouuder on each side Mt.
There will be no gun sponsors.
The engine 10 OF the vertical triple expansion
type. with cylinders rs inches. ~ inches, ana
80 inches in diameter. respectively, and with q
24.tnch stroke: Its horse power is 800, One-hal!
that of the Machias. The contract speed Is
twelve knots. with NO premium for excess. but
with penalty for failing short. but they will be
accepted II they make eleven knots.
The coal capacity Is 300 tons. giving a radius
OF 1000 knots. But Us the boats arc designed
20 recoal inside of a year. The total cost will bo
$500. 900. Tho contract for these boats was
awarded to the Bath Iron Works Nov. .. 1895.
The keels were laid last March. The boats will
nine officers. ten marines. and l25 blue Jackets.
Their rig will be very heavy and the boats will
be very heavy under sail. In appearance they
are much like steam yachts of approved model.