New-York tribune., 1896-12-11

ordered her hags TO be hoisted. As the flags were
broken out the band played America" and all
present saluted the colors This ended the formal
tiles and the crew sent TO stations.
The Puritan which Is big sister or the Terror
and the Amph!trlte-two monitors we'll known to
those who have gone 10 Staten Island since the
fleet came to York-is the largest OF the yes
sells of her class, for the construction OF wnich
contract was made by the Government with John
Roach in 1875. The story OF the delays attending
her completion. and the trouble experienced In get
ting the money needed have been told In The Tr'o-
une before. One peculiar fact connected with the
shin Is that since her keel was laid three naval
boards "sat on her and decided that she would MOI
float If she was completed with tho weights al
lotted 10 her When she was launched IN lea'' she
made such success Of floating that all fear OF her
being unable TO carry her weights was dispeie''
and It was decided TO finish her. John Roach being
the successful bidder for the contract for supplying
her machinery.
With these questions settled. II Is with her power
as a fighting machine and living place that the
officers OF the Navy are at present concerheu anu vi
the former point they are all agreed tha' the'e 10
no more powerful formidable vessel afioat 'o-uay
than the big monitor While her big guns are OF
an inch smaller cabre than those oi the Dat'ie-
shjps they have the advantage Of greater degree
30 ,ro,ec,>on for the monitor has n freeboard so
low that the mark afforded for the guns OF an
enemy is exceedingly small, and what there is Vi
IL Is protected by armor fourteen inches IN tmch-
ness Her two steel barbettcs. in which the tur-
refs are mounted are also fourteen inches thicK
the turrets themselves being Of eiSht-inch s'ec
The monitor is not pretty to look at III comparison
with the towering spars and swelling canvas Oh
the old-tme sailing-ships or the later-day cruis
ers of the Chicago type but she Is built Tor hgh'
and as a war weapon Is without an equal hef
speed IS not great her engines developing only
300 horse power giving her maximum speed OF
less than thirteen knots; but TO Offset thls shc
draws only eighteen feet and can get around IN
water where a battle-shp would touch bottom ana
stick. ,-, ho,sos
bridge and other top hamper could be shot n hmay
and still the Puriton would continue 10 90 BUSINESS
for her interior is protected by hcavliy diino! ,u
deck and the motive power Of the snip ana .he M
guns Is sheltered where an enemy's shot woulu nlu
Il difficult to p.nstrate. Her quarters FOR the ac-
commodation Of the efficers and crew are sonie-
what crampeI and In a warm climate II is known
that there would be much difficulty in keeping the
men in good health on board; but the snip y a ae
signed solely for defence. and Is not expecen
feet inches breadth 90 feet 1l2 inches. ana mean
draught IS feet. with displacement OF ov tons, tons.
Her engines are OF the twnscrew horzo'Sd f S EoI NJ
inch breech-oadng rifles and six 4-nch guns or the
same type. In her secondary battery there are iouf
S-pounder rapdf guns, four 5,-miiiine,re fio'ch
Her officers are: Captain John II: Bartlett. com
manding; Lieutenant Commander J. X Selfridge;
Whittlesey Ensign c. NJ. stone Chief Engineer
George Cowie and Paymaster r. Frazer. Inc de-
ficency in the number Of her crew will be made up
from enlistments as fast as the men are taken on
by the enlisting officers. Coal, ammunition and
stores will be taken on board In few days. and
then the new addition TO the North Atantic Squad-
Hampton Roads TO take part In the evolutions
under control Of Rear-Admiral Bunce.