New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19
HATT TIE ALdBAMAf


The launching OF battleshIp Is no new
thing in the United States. though 1t never be-
comes so hackncycd ms to be devoid OF inter
est. The launching of the Alabama yesterday
was. nevertheless, In It's circumstances not only
a novelty but, in the present time, unique. For
not as her sister warriors did she seek the clc-
ment that is 10 be the scene OF her achieve
ments Not amid thronging multitudes. the
cynosurc Of ten thousand admlrng eyes the
mir vocal with cheers and blazing with futtcr-
ing banners. Alone. save for handful OF
friends besides the workmen and watchful
guard In silence and secluson. she was
launched And IL was well. 1t WAS not only
the part of wisdom. but 1t was significant OF the
great ships mission. The very fact that such
precautions had TO he taken to insure her safety
most eoquenty proclaims the need Of her and
of others like her.
But. indeed, apart from this impressive cir
cumstance the launching Of such ship was
an incident that might well command world
wide attention. II has been said OF every one
Of our battle ships ut ls launching that 1t was
the best yet built. That Is no idle. hackneyed
boast. It Is the simple and most significant
truth, acknowledged by all impartial observers.
1t indicates the inventive skill and the progress
sve spirit OF this Nation. which has given to
the world almost every important Improvement
in the mechanical equipment Of fleets and
armies in the last hundred years. and which
continues to produce new improvements with
unfalling fecundy In this ship some striking
innovations are introduced the value Of which
must be made clear by actual trial on her COM
pletion The success Of former American In
yentlons In guns and armor will incline most
men to await their trial with compOsure and
with confidence.
In comparison with her predecessors. II is to
be observed that the Alabama Is MS large as
the largest-in fact larger than any now In
commission She is also more heavily armored.
She will have four of the largest guns. and n
particularly powerful secondary battery Of
rapld-flre guns. The intermediate battery Of s.
inch guns will be dispensed with. lessening her
weight above the water-llne and increasing her
stability without materially impairing her fight
ing power. Indeed there are many who think
the S-inch guns might we'll be omitted from all
such ships and reliance be placed upon the big
guns for heavy work and upon the rapid fire
battery for all else The elliptical turrcts Of
the Alabama will also he an interesting novelty
from which much satisfaction is expected. On
the whole, IL seems SAFE 10 rechon 'iin' 'he Aih'
bama will, as an all-round fighting ship. out
rank all her predecessors in the American Navy.
There are bigger ships In the British Navy. and
some that make little faster time than she Is
required to do. and carry more coal. But they
are not nearly SO strongly armored. and there
is reason to think that the Alabama might be
a match for one Of them. But. of course. an
American ship Is not likely ever to fight Brit
ish ship. And In the other navles OF the world
there are no ships that can for moment be
deemed her superiors
Hall to the Alabama! She was launched In
silence, but she will make enough noise her.
self one Of these days to atone for that Only