New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-09
THE AMERICAN LAUNOHED
COMMODORE wATTs's NEW YACHT SAN
TO BE A MARINE MARVEL.
CONSIDERED PRACTICALLY UNSUITABLE. ExcRya
AFTER COMPLETE DISCRETIONARY AGAIN
REvoLUTIoNIzE BOTH WAR AND


AFTER COMPLETE pEsTRUcr1oN-MAYA AGAIN
REvoLUTIoNIzE BOTH WAR AND
COMMERCIAL sHIpBUILDING.
The most important yacht that has ever be-.
launched in this city went of the ways yesterdav
at the yards OF the Jonson Engineering and Foun-
dry Company. on the East River. at One-hundred
and egheenth-st. This craft is considered re-
markable in variety Of ways She is said to bs
the only practically unsuitable vessel in existence
As n yacht she Is more strongly built than thu
steel vessels OF the American Navy, and her owner
Commodore Archibald Watts, designed every part
Of her and constructed every part with the excep.
ton OF a single piece cast In Philadelphia This
piece included a part OF the vessels after over.
hang her sternpost and part OF her keel II Wa
an awkward piece to handle. on account OF Ia
shape and weight. The launching took place
about 1 D. m Mrs. Watts performed tho cers-
mony OF naming the vessel Il christen you the
American" said Mrs. Watts. as the craft started
down the ways. and four hundred guests and the
workmen and their guests cheered enthusiastically
After the vessel had been recovered luncheon was
served aboard her. and the remainder OK the after
noon was spent In inspecting the interior Of the
new craft and IN dancing. Among Mrs. Wattss
guests we're Mr. and Mrs. r. r. Ladew, the Rev.
DR. Kettell, Mr.. and Mrs and Miss Wasstan Mr.
and Mrs E. p Steers. Darwin Amy, OF Providence;
Miss MCLAUGHLIN, Thomas l.. Watt. Mrs. Benson,
Jordan L. Mott and Miss Holbrook
Many officers OF the United States Navy haw
examined this yacht. both officially and for Their
own Instruction, giving special attention 10 the
multitude OF steel watertght compartments which
lie between the outside plates OF her bottom and
tho steel of her first lower deck. She has sir.
teen Of these compartments on each side or her
keeI The American, It is said. can pound on
tagged rocks until there thrty-eght holes In
her bottom and the only result Will be that she
will sit a little lower In the water
Above these lower compartments are nine steel
bulkheads which reach to her upper decks, and two
NJ them even separate the long deckhouse on top.
Thus in case OF lateral injury in collision. she has
ten water-tight compartments. and may be crushed
I'm anywhere from bow TO stern and even far below
the water-line and still remain ahoat II is said.
Chief Engineer George ". McGee, one OF the Gov
eminent naval EXPERTS is said TO have declared
thar this Yacht has merits in regard 10 unsuitable
ness that are possessed by no battle ships ahoa and
that the success OF Commodore Wattss Invention
would probably lead to extensive changes IN the
building OF ships for both war and commerce
Besides the many transverse sections which
dIvida the lower compartments, the vessel has
seven longitudinal steel divisions reaching as high
as the lowest interior deck so that In regard 10
strength for pitching In seaway or upon rocks,
she may be Said to have seven interior steel Kee0.
Another evidence Of extraordinary strength II N
the steel keeson which H. only four inches mar
rover THAI those in the st. Paul and ST. Louis.
In the steel ribs the frames Z-shaped. In the
Maine which was said 10 be the strongest vessel
,or her size In the Navy. these frames we're "
shaped In both boats these steels are OF the same
thickness that the superior power tor Resistance
in collision - marked in the Watts craft. The
same remarks apply TO the longitudinal side stripe
which run from bow to stern. and are OF great
strength, providing practically collision armor.
All the decks are OF steel. together with the TWO
deckhouses OF which Is seventy feet long ana
he N her
aundres galleys. messrooms Sn s'i I,
tho Maynower and Nahma. where staterooms are
curious novelty is the hshpond or tank stu
suits OF good sport may be retained IN conthuousy
hansn IN ,s SAT- bill Ma ~ ar ' and &
OF in bringing back to the New. YORK AQUARIUM
the shG - boats eTnd H SSsfs y:
be manned BY six rowers and coxswain; III. me
xssne w With aco-vapor moors one large Steam
launch one gig one Yong ooa SSS
v WITH water f ensth Of feet Her width T.
depth Of Of hold is q feet 8 inches: ,.u,
She will travel at seventeen knpis e an
engines furnishing It, Ii will be remembered that "a!
M W' sss engine ls lie has
number OF other craft, but has never ne sa.s'
been able to a' ~ PUMA he his plans
to fiys leading experts in the United states for
their criticism They advised slightly greater ynss
iris they had nothing to suggest. In tho design
much attention was given TO the wishes OF . MI,
day for many months, and who desired 10 be anIs
to make long cruises IN foreign waters w nisr'
walls The coal bunkers will hold more than NY
tons and the yacht will consume only ten OF
OF the large sa-spread the craft may remain a.
sea az least sixty-fye days without taking iueei
Mrs Wattss wish was 10 have cruiser thar cou 10
not be burned could not be sunk and could not %
dangerously broken on rocks. and the tomm99dors
vessel that II is believed. possesses these duaI,ues
70 a larger extent than any other craft now anoaL