New-York tribune., 1896-12-06
TWO GUNBOATS LAUNCHED.
THE NEWPORT AND THE vICKSBURG
AFLOAT AT BATH. ME.
THEY WERE cIIR1sTENED. ONE BY MISS LA FARGD
AND THE OTHER BY MISS ADDIE TRow-
BRIDGE-A DESCRIPTION OF THE BOATS


AND THE OTHER BY MISS ADDIE TRow-
BR1poE-A DESCRIPTION OF THE BOATS
AND THEIR ARMAMENTs.
Path Me Dec 1.-Two thousand people saw
the twin launching at the Bath Iron WORKS TO-
day. There fifty people from Newport IN
cluding the Mayor and the Aldermen. Mayor
Trowbridge, of vicksburg. and 100 Bath citizens
occupied gayly draped stands.
At 1918 D. m the workmen began wedGing up
and at 1920 the gunboat vicksburg began to slip
from the ways Miss Addie Trowbridse. OF Vfcks-
burg broke the ribbon-covered bottle OF chnm-
paene on the stern, saying: II christen tnce
vicksburg and may your history be as memorable
a. that of your namesake." The Nicksburg slid
Sowly down the ways and gradually took the
plunge
The worsInen at went to the Newport, ana
at l2:5S the cry There she goes" arose MISS La
Fargo of Newport, a granddaughter OF Commo-
dore Perry christened the boat Newport inc
Newport delegation gave three cheers for the gun
boat and three for Miss La Fargo Ihe second
boat made swifter slide and more graceful
plunge The whistles of the city blew In deafen-
inC manner during both launchings.s
From the Navy Yard the 80 guests went TO the
draughting Offices of the works and had luncheon
The Newport contingent departed on the Alo tram.
These gunboats OF what Is known as com
posite construction. The entire frame is Of steel,
and above the water each is plated with steel and
planked below The panking is covered with cop
per the advantage Of this over the steel pehs
that the vessel will not need docking for long
time and may make uninterrupted cruises OF
seven eight years.
Each boat has three full decks running the en-
tire length Of the vessel The length over all Is
10 feet, and lsS feet between perpendiculars. The
beam between rnoudings is 80 feet . inches. and
the extreme beam 80 feet The mean drauGht Is
y feet and the displacement 1900 tons. AS com
pared with the Machias ana the Castne, thcss
OF the same displacement. The rig IS that OF a a
barkentinc and the OF the nine principal sails
will be 100 feet. 49, ,, ca
breach loading rifles, four six-pound. repid-hre
guns and two one-pounders. one four-inch gun
will be mounted on the spar Geek Forward ana one
ships. The six-pounders are mounted one on each
side forward and one on each side ainidships. dho
one one FOUNDER will be on each side ar. Incro
VIII be no gun sponsons Inc guhoecks ~ open. h
galley the engine and hreroom matches the hospltai
and the dispensary. The spar deck is open ana
runs the full length Of the craft - -....,.. %
feet inches long and 10 feet Inches In diameter.
with working pressure OF 100 pounds. The en-
gne IS OF the vertical. triple-expanson type. with
meter respectively, and with a A-inch stroke It's
horsepower is 500. one-haf that Of the Machias
The contract speed is twelve knots with no pre-
MUM for excess, but with penalty for falling
short. The boats VIII be accepted Il they make
eleven knots The coal capacity is 800 tons GIVING
radius Of H. knots. but as the boats are de.
signed TO cruise under sail ordinarily. they VIII ho'
have TO rocoal inside OF a year. go
The total cost will be 100000. The boats VIII be
ready for sea early next year, Each VIII carry
1e TSsr me & ten en- marines ana & 10 % 5pe be
steam yachts Of approved model