The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-29
FIGHTING BOB" EVANS.


which will make that ship look at a
distance of five miles for all the world
like the North German Lloyd greyhound
Kaiser Wilhelm l.
The Columbia, too, has garb which
transforms her into first class appear
ing Hamburg American Packet compa-
ny steamer, and at a distance of three
or four miles it would take sharp pair
of eyes, it is declared, to distinguish be-
tween her and the Fuerst Bismarck.
The Cincinnati, it is reported, can make
herself pass at a respectable distance for
one of the smaller vessels of the White
Star line, and the triple screw cruiser
Minneapolis is able to rig up either as
Peninsular and Oriental passenger
steamer or pass for the Umbria of the
Cunard line.
The disguise of the warships is due to
the skill and ingenuity of the carpenters
now in the navy. The idea is not new
one by any means, for during the last
war in America blockade runners tried
1t effectively ON many occasions. The
object more especially in these days in
Disgusting cruiser is to lure her to
some of the swift merchant cruisers Of
the enemy. In chase, say, the cruiser
Cincinnati could not possibly hope to
overhaul Majestic or Teutonic of the
White Star line. But if the Cincinnati
could play the role of one of the small
White Star steamers Of the type which
plies between the Mediterranean and
the United Kingdom ports she might
hope to inveigle the Majestic down upon
her by flying signals Of distress or by
expressing wish to communicate.
Once the Cincinnati had the Majestic
within gun range the latter vessel would
be completely at her mercy.
The New York, it seems, is able to
effect her disguise by means of frame
work and painted canvas. The forward
deck is converted into the turtle back
common to the North German Lloyd
steamers by having recourse to light
wooden structure. This framing is COW
cred with canvas and is painted yellow.
For frame supports, oars and awning
strong backs are used, and the whole is
covered with yellow painted boat COW
ers, hatch tarpaulins and companion
way hoods.
The superstructure deckhouse of the
New York, which is even now painted
yellow, passes for the main deckhouse
of the Kaiser Wilhelm. The white
painted stanchions of the German craft
are duplicated on the cruiser by strips
of white canvas, while painted ports ON
the superstructure house complete the
general resemblance to the passenger
steamer.
To still further deceive the practiced
eye of a sailor the boats of the cruiser,
instead of resting amidships on metal
frame, are stretched merchant steamer
fashion from well forward to aft. The
boats are strung along above the line of
the superstructure, and strips OF canvas
made up of hammocks serve to Indicate
the edge of the hurricane deck. The
high house effect of the German vessel
is produced by means of framework,
covered over by canvas and painted III
a crude, exaggerated fashion.
But to increase the effect still more
provision is made for high bridge
stretching across decks from r"il to rail.
This is readily done by recoorse to a
framing. The present hard wood pilot
house is covered up by means OF canvas
screens, and the forward and after tur.
rets are hidden from view by side
screenings. All guns are run inboard
and the ports are closed. The lower
military top is made to resemble a look
out stand, while the upper top is COL
lapsed. For additional pole masts some
spare spars are to be carried on board.
The only portion of the New York
which it is difficult to disguise is the
stern, and although an attempt is made
in this direction those who are familiar
with the effects declare the stern to be
the weak effort. For that reason the
New York will doubtless endeavor to
keep her face to the quarry, and by SO
doing avoid too much of a broadside
presentation. Chicago Times Herald.