Evening journal., 1898-01-17
KASAGTS LAUNCHING
New Japanese Warship to Be
Floated on Thursday.
JAPAN'S GROWING STRENGTH At SEA
when the Fleot Ia Completed the MiIsa-
dos Navy WIN Rank Only After
the Three Powers, England,
France and Russia.


PHILADELPHIA, Jan. II. The
launching Of the Japanese warship Ka-
sagi. which is being built at Cramps
Bhipyard. win take place on Thurs
day at noon. The Kasagi is the most
important ship ever built in the United
States for foreign account and Is the
first foreign warship launched in this
country since the Zohiaca, in 1878.
In compliance with requests for infor-
nation that are coming 10 him from
all over the country. Charles ii. Cramp,
the builder Of the ship, gives the fol-
lowing interesting statements:
"The Kasagi is a protected twinscrew
cruiser or commerce destroyer, Of the
latest and most approved type and de-
sign in her class. She is puilt through
out of mild steel Of the United States
navy standard. Her model is call
culated primarily for high speed, the
contract guarantee being 22k knots as
the mean OF six runs back and forth
over a measured course Of 10 nautical
miles
"rhe Kasagi is one among a large
number Of ships Of various types and
classes embraced In the new naval pro-
gramme OF Japan. A sister ship to her
is building on the Pacific coast and
others Of various classes up TO 14,SO0 ton
battleships either in England, France.
Germany or in Japan's own dockyard
al Yokosuka. II is worth while to call
attention TO the fact that she is rep
resentative Of the most marvellous and
formidable naval development Of this
age, a development that Is rapidly
bringing into front rank among civil
lied naval powers n nation. the ports
Of which were first opened to commerce
through the instrumentality OF an
American naval expedition clearly with
In the memory of men not yet past
middle age. From this point Of view
alone her launching is an event worth
remembering I'm the history of Ameri-
can shipbuilding.
"When the fleet of which the Kasagi
is an important factor shall be COM
pleted, an event not more than two
years at the furthest, Japan Will rank
as the foremost naval power in the
Pacific ocean and generally speaking,
nearly, II not quite. third in rank among
the naval powers of the world. She
will certainly outrank IN the all around
sense all but England, France and Rus
sia and. so far as the Pacific ocean is
except perhaps England. and 1t Is
doubtful IL even England could, with
due regard TO her requirements IN her
own waters or in the Mediterranean
and the defense Of her commerce. spare
naval force enough for concentration in
thePaciflc TO equal in that ocean the new
Japanese navy. of which the kasagi Is
factor This superiority Is due not &c
much to the mere number OF the yes.
sells Japan Is building as to the fact that
they are Of carefully selected types, per.
fectly elaborated designs and wisely
distributed classes. all of the most ap-
proved construction and highest attain
able efficiency"
Tho principal dimensions. qualities ans
nrmament of the Kasagi are as follows
Length on water line. 374 feet inches
breadth 2S feet 9 inches; depth. 80 fee
inches; draft. II feet Q inches; dis
placement, 1900 tons; speed. 22ia knots
Armament, two S-inch breech loadini
rifles, ten - G. m. Cor 47-inch) rapi'
fire guns. twelve 12-pounder rapid fir
guns, six AZ M m. Hotchldss rapid fir
guns.
The ceremonial attendant upon tn
launching of the ship will be exclusivel,
in the hands Of the Japanese minister
and the affair win be conducted in ac
cordance with the customs Of the Japa
nese In such matters. on the part o
the Cramp company there win be M
special provision for guests, but IN
shipyard win be open 20 the public a
the time Of the launching