The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-04

The eight s.inch rifles are housed in four unbal-
nncod ~turrcts, . inches thick. revolving through
arcs of 100 dogrocs, on nartettcs OF sinch steel.
Tho ammunition tUOCs leading below arc 3inch
arulorcd forginss.
To hnvo soma idea of tho. variety of powers
handling OF ammunition, II is nocdful to know
only that the l2-inch %turrets AFRO turned, by
drauliCaliy, whilo the sinch are worked BY
steam; that tho pinch guns are loaded cleo.
trically, while .hc s.inrh arc loaded by hnnd;
and that the l2inrh ammunition Is raised by.
draulically, while that for the S.inch guns Is
brought up electrically. Tho %practicH! a%pplir,-
ton of so many methods may serve 10 prove tho
superior efficiency Of s2me one OF Them r H UNI, n
chance of confusion should the present complex
order be brought into action
The secondary battery IL composed OF six 4;
inch rapid-firo rifles. four of which arc mounted
in armOred Sponsors on the main deck and well
protected by heavy splinter bulkhcads OF steel,
after supcrstructurc, commanding a wide range
OF action, hut unshiclded from an enemy's fire.
four l.pounders, and four Gatling guns is dis
tributcd along the superstructure, on tho
bridges, and up in tho military tops, where me
arInored parts OF an enemy may be secured.
The ship has four torpedo tubes, two on either
broadsido. and piercing tho casemate armor.
Tho propclling machinery consists OF two sets
Of triple expansion engines. each In its own wa.
tcr-tight compartment. actuating two IG'foot
and 50 inches In diameter, with n common stroke
Of AZ inches steam at q WORKING pressure of of
wv OAAllAA q lEAA| ~ "AN 1890
boilers OF considerable size and by two single
ended boilers half az large as the big oncs-9
feet 10ll inches long. with diamcters or
10 feet . Inches. Those boilers are in
four separate water tight compartments.
When running under forced draught tho
fire rooms will DO closed. and large fans will
goad the furnaces to their utmost. With her
bunkers filed and at u cruising speed OF ten
knots an hour the Iowa should be able to steam
quite 5000 miles, while, at full speed, her
bunkcrs full, she should be able 10 cover 2.i00
knots and have n radius OF endurance OF some
thing over tvo days.
Nearly a hundred auxiliary engines add to tho
efficiency OF the ship, hy turning the turrets.
working and loading tho guns, lifting and low
ering bouts and heavy stores. raising tho
anchors, controlling the rudder. bringing tho
ammunition from tho magazines, providing fresh
water. preserving the fresh food. lighting tho
ship. and ventilsting every nook and corner.
The coming tower. OF tcn-iuch steel. rests un-
forward l2-inch turrct, and there will DO tho
fighting station for tho Captain; and through
the armored tube leading below 90 the wires
and tubes that put him in touch with every CEN
tire important 10 un efficient Knowledge and con-
troll OF that great organism at his command.
A system of fire anu water alarms connects
with every compartment Of tho ship. and will
register instantly tho dangerous presence OF too
much heat or water, ana designate the threat
encd region.
The use OF wood has been dispensed with
wherever possible, and tho major part OF that
which is used has been subjected to u trc.proof-
ing process.
Size considered, in arnor distribution. scope
OF lire, possible speed, power of battery, and
bookkeeping properties, the Iowa must take "A
hiah place in the navies OF tho world.