Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-02

twelve inches thick, connecting this belt
armor and barbettes and extending from
the slopes Of the protective deck to top of the
side belt on each side is worked to give
protection from a raking fire. Abaft the
after turret the protection will be com
pleted by thckening the protective deck to
four inches on the slopes with two and
three-fourths inches on the fat. On the
slopes Of this deck forward 1t Is three
inches thick and two and three-fourths on
the fiat. The armor on the thirteen Inch
gun turrets will be seventeen inches on the
front and fifteen inches on the rear and
sides; while on the barbettes for these tur-
rets, which are circular in shape, will be
fifteen inches on the front and ten inches on
the rear and sides. The sides of the yes
sci above the armor belt in wake Of the six
inch battery and forming the casemate will
be armored with five inches of steel, ex-
tending between the turrets with diagonal
armor of same thickness at the ends, con-
Meeting with the barbettes and worked
above the twelve-inch diagonal armor
below.
Protection from Water.
1t will be protected against the entrance
of water, in case of injury to the side, at
the water line, by Golfer dams extending for
the length of the vessel on each
side, and having a general width OF three
feet, with a total capacity Of about 1880
cubic feet, for stowage Of fireproof corn
pitch cellulose. Independent of the numerous
small watertight pockets or cells forming
the entire scheme OF cofferdams, the inner
bottom and hold, the platforms, splinter
and berth decks are divided into between
200 and 300 watertight apartments, both for
hA ndat ~ he
and the stowage of coal. provisions, ammu-
milton and other stores, and also for the
preservation of the ship in the event of rup-
ture OF the outer skin or injury in battle.
All these many compartments are provided
with pipes connected with powerful steam
pumps for the purpose OF removing any
water that may get in them, either from
accident or design. Arrangements are
also made for flooding all ammunition in the
event Of fire on board the vessel. All
these compartments, together with all liv-
ing spaces, state rooms, etc, occupied by
the officers or crew, have special pipes ar
ranged, with view OF supplying fresh air
to the occupants, and to make the temper
ature of all store rooms even in the most
remote parts of the vessel comfortable and
healthy. These pipes all connect with
powerful blowers which draw fresh air by
means OF ventilators extending from ten tc
twenty feet above the ships decks.
The forward coming tower armor will bt
in thickness ten inches, oval in shape, size
in the clear 7x10, with an armored tub,
seven inches thick extending down to the
protective deck to house all wires or othel
means of interior communication, so thai
the officer coming the vessel in action car
be in constant and safe communication with
all parts OF the vessel. An after coming
or signal tower is also provided, having ar
inside diameter of six feet and thickness
OF six inches.
The turrets will be operated by electric
power; also the ammunition hoists, anC
the dynamo and auxiliary blowers for ven
tilating purposes.
There will be some eighty odd auxiliar,
engines In the vessel thus adding greatly
to the efficiency OF the ship, in the celerit!
! and certainty with which the work can bt
done. The cranes for handling the boat
are operated by steam; also the decl
winches, pumps, windlass and steering gear
This latter is located beneath the protectiv,
| deck and several feet below the water line
! Reduces Manual Labor 10 Minimum
! The introduction Of these auxiliary en-
| gines is brought about mainly by the va
| riety and nature OF the work to be dom
and the demand for the latest and best II
every branch OF mechanics represented in
man-of-war. Manual labor Is. therefore, re