Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-15
DECK PLAN OF THE KENTUCKY.

opinion. Their advantages are said to be
a large saving in weight, which permits
OF more guns and more powerful ma
chinery for the propulsion. a better con-
centration of fire. and the ability Of the
vessel 10 deliver all four guns in either
forward or after turret almost stimuli
taneously, with the result of hitting a
terrific blow to the target
No battleship. the ordnance officers con-
tend, could withstand the blow. II every
shot took effect. The introduction Of the
double-turret system was opposed by the
constructors on the ground that it was
too great a departure in the methods OF
mounting guns, and that there was dan
ger Of both turrets being placed ont Of
action by a single shot hitting either.
They also pointed out that there was no
advantage in discharging the guns Of
both at once, for the reason that If one
shot missed ship through poor aim,
II undoubtedly would follow that all
would and thus half Of the ships broad
side Of heavy guns would be lost
The objections advanced. however. were
met by the Ordnance Bureau and Secre-
tary Herbert finally decided TO place the
new turrets on the two ships and have
them mounted with the heaviest guns
made for the navy-heaVer even than
the rifles adopted for the battleships now
building by other governments.
The coming tower. from which point
the ships will be fought when in action,
viii be protected by l0-inch arm0r. and
inside will be tube with seven inches
OF armor, leading down 10 the armor
deck. for the protection Of voice pipes,
telegraphs, steering-rods. etc. Through
out the vessels the use Of wood will be
reduced 10 a minimum, the state
room bulkheads being constructed OF steel
covered with cork. sheathed. All wood
materials before being placed in the ships
will be tested by the electric fireproohng
process.
WIDE CRUISING RADIUS.
The Kentucky and the Kearsarge will
carry their full coal supply OF 1,2l0 tons
with the greatest ease. their bunker-room
being so ample that the coal can simply
be dumped into it without the labor Of
trimming This quantity will be ample for
all ordinary contingencies OF cruising and
for service in time Of war along the coast,
as at cruising speed OF ten knots IL will
enable them TO steam 5000 miles. and at
thirteen knots nearly 400. or at full
speed TO cross from New York to Ireland.
Should the service of these battleships be
required at distance. however Temporal
~ provision could be made by which 400
-
away with corresponding increase in the
radius OF action.
Externally the Kentucky will not be I'M
like the battleship Indiana. as tar as APP
pearances 70. with the exception that the
single large mast OF the Indiana will be
replaced by two huge masts on the Ken
lucky, ana the latter's smoke-stacks will
be several feet taller 20 give increased
development OF furnace power.
~.
Kentucky, and one which is distinctly an
advance in battleship construction. is the
overpowering battery OF fourteen 5-inch
guns. thoroughly protected by inches Of
the best armor. These guns are Of the
largest calibre which can be fired with
great rap.dity. and the protection given
them such that 1t could be penetrated by
but few OF the guns carried by any OPP
posing battleships except the twelyes.