New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-19
THE UNITED STATES SHIP ANNAPOLIS

the Newport-the last two Of which went off the
ways on December D at the Bath Iron Works
The composite type is a new departure in naval
architecture in this country but the authorities
have long contemplated the construction of ves-
sells that would be at the same time light OF
draft. speedy, and sufficiently protected to take
part in battle as we'll as to do patrol duty. In
this class the vessels are exactly what their
name signifies. The lower part Of the hull Is
Of wood covered with copper, while the upper
part is of steel. the entire frame being made OF
the latter metal. The deck Is housed with light
steel plates that give ample protection to the
men, and at the same time stiffen the ship as
we'll as IL she were constructed entirely Of iron
In her general appearance. the Annapolis
closely resembles a modern steam yacht with
auxiliary sail power. Her lines are particularly
graceful, and one would not suppose that be-
meath her towering masts lay wood and iron
fortress able to carry destruction to all but the
best-protected ports Of the world. She is bark
entine rugged, with sail area of nearly 1l5OO
feet. which will allow her to travel almost as
fast before the wind as under steam. Her
tween perpendiculars of 16S feet. Her mean
draught is II feet. which is light enough to
permit her to navigate the shallow waters or
the China coast and the rivers OF this coun-
try-two purposes for which the vessels Of her
class particularly designed
The engines of the vertical. direct-action,
trlp!e-eNpanSlOn type, Will SoS~'
cylinder an acknowledgements cylinder and
a low-pressure cylinder Of 1jH. 2312 and ~
. inches, respectively, and stroke OF ~ incnes.
They will develop 800 horsepower and make
$50 revolutions of the single screw minute
There are two boilers the length and diameter
of each being 10h feet. Provision Is made Tor
a moderate forced draught. which is to be in
duced by two blowers applied under the ASH
pits The contract speed is II knots an hour
The armament Of the Annapolis Will consist
of six 4-inch rapid-fre guns. as a main bat
tory and four 6-pOunder and two 1-pounder
rapid-fire guns a secondary battery. One OIL
the finch guns will be placed forward one ait
and two on each side amidships. The 6-pound,
ers will be placed on each side Forward ana
amidships and the 1-pounders will be on each
side aft There gun-sponsonS. Her COM
plement will consist of nine officers, ten ma
rines and 125 bluejackets.
Distributed over the ship Will be ZS-foot
steam launch, a cutter and a whaleboat OF the
same length 20-foot gig and an lS-foot dingy.
The contract price for the Annapolis Is S23S
bred dollars for an electric light plant II the
Government decides not to put 1t In. and S5WW
for a steam steering gear II one Is not ordered.
1t Is expected that the vessel Will DE READY ior
her trial trip by October Of next year
In a report on composite gunboats. Chief Con,
| structor Hchborn explains that the essential
| reasons for the construction Of the composite
| TYNE are that they are largely Independent OF
| docking facilities and economical IT. the use or
nacles grass and other marine matter TO De
| released as soon as the boats are put In mo-
| tion Thus the bottoms are mace compare
| lively clean, permitting the vessels 10 main
| tain their designed speed with a minimum con-
| SUMPTION of coal.