Arizona republican., 1897-11-27
STORY OF THE FLEET
.Continued From First Page,

HSEAlf of seventeen vessels, at a cost of $16.- 194, TOP.
 In addition to these there will be under construction during the year 1S97-98 seven battle ships, four ar mored cruisers, ten protected cruisers. six gunboats, five torpedo boat de stroyers, nineteen torpedo boats and one submarine boat-a total of sixty nine vessels of all descriptions.
 Japan comes next, leading Russia, Italy, Germany, and Spain. There are now under construction in Europe and the United States for the Japanese government three battle ships of 14,- 800 tons displacement, one at Thames Iron Works (Shikishima), one at Thomson's Clydebank, one at Arm strong's; one battle ship of 10000 tons displacement reported as ordered of Armstrong, but contract not signed and specifications mot completed; four first class armored cruisers of $500 tons displacement( two at Arm strong's, one at Vulcan Works, Stet-
 
 France); four protected cruisers two in the United States of about 4,700 tons displacement and two at Arm strong's of 4,500 tons displacement); one protected cruiser of 200O tons and one of 1,800 tons, at the government yard at Yokosuka, Japan; mine. tor pedo boat destroyers -four by Yarrow four by Thornycroft, and one by iah ot ni cr1,f of about 300 tons displacement, one somewhat smaller); thirteen torpedo boats of about S5 to 90 tons displace- menH (eight by Schichau and five by Normand).
 Germany is eMpending $9,000,000 dur ing the year 1897-9S for vessels under authorized: One batt.eship, two gun boats.
 The vessels under construction em- brace: Two first-class battleships, 1 armored cruiser, 5 protected cruisers, 1 torpedo-boat destroyer, torpedo boats.
 Russia is expending $7,66S,277 for new construction. It is proposed to build battleships, 1 coast defense vessel, 1 armored cruiser, 1 protected
 
 torpedo-boat destroyers.
 In addition there are under con- struction: Six battleshfps, 1 coast defense vessel, 1 armored cruiser, 3 protected cruisers, 4 gunboats, 17 tor pedo boats.
 The Italian estimates for new con- structiom for 1S979S are about $5,0O0,- GOO. It is proposed to build: Three f,raf hi torpedO-boat destroyers.
 At present there are under construc- tioa battleships, armored cruisers, 13 torpedo boats.
 Spain increased her naval power 1 during the past year by the purchase of armored cruiser, and the compile tfOn of first-class armored cruisers, protected cruiser, 2 gunboats and 6 | torpedo-boat destroyers (purchased in EnglanO.
 There are now under construction 1 for the Spanish government armored cruisers, protected cruisers, 4 gun boats, torpedo boats and battle 1 ships, to be fitted with new boilers and guns in France.
 The most striking feature of naval progress abroad is that of the Jap anese government. She already ranks next to England and France in the extent of her naval building. She has added during the past year to her f1eet two frst-class battleships, built il ! England, and her programme for the future will render her by the year 19O: the strongest naval power in the Pa cific ocean.
 1 a r,f ,oJo of csf Hilary purposes the report says: ''Un der the administration of my prede- decessor it was ordered tha. two of thx 8-inch turrets of the Brooklyn should
 be operated by steam and the otheH two by electricity, the latter method of turning turrets being at that time experimental. Under date of Marcf 3, 1896, however, the electrical turref turning machinery of the Brooklyn having been tried to some extent ani found to operate successfully, it wa: further ordered by Secretary Herber1 ] that there be. installed on the battle. ships Kearsarge and Kentucky cen. tral electrical power plants, and thai electricity be substituted for steam and hydraulic power as a motive fierce l for turning the turrets, driving the ammunition hoists, and all auxiliary apparatus, excepting the windlass anG steering gear, the plants so installed to furnish also the power for lighting | the vessels"
 The following paragraph is given te 'fOld Ironsides:''
 Tn compliance with the request ot the civil authorities in Massachusetts the department ordered the frigate Constitution towed to Boston, to par. ticipate in the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of her launch ing on the Fist of October, 1797. Ths widespread interest in this anniver. sary and. the patriotic sentiment tc which it gave rise throughout the country found fitting expression in tht ceremonies consummated that day by the city of Boston in honor of this most gallant of the historic ships o1 the navy. In view of the affection 1 with which the people regard the Com l stitution, the department believes tha it should be preserved and hand CT