Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-03
1T is PROPOSED TO HAVE OUR NEW
ONES OF 10000 TONS.
THEY APE TO BE FASTER ALSO
NEW PLANS CONTEMPLATE A SPEED
OF EIGHTEEN KNOTS.
Congress- Counted UpOn to Authorize
Additional Cost Thnt Will BE In
Cured by Increased Size
and Speed - Copper
SheathinE.

NEW YORK. Aug. "A special to the
Times from Washington says:
The question of the speed of three bat
t!eships provided for by the naval pro-
gramme has been reopened. 1t was sup
posed the matter had been settled when
Secretary of the Navy Long announced a
1ew days ago that the preference would be
given IN awarding the contracts for the
construction of the new vessels to the bid
ders who offered guarantees of the highest
speed. retaining the general characteristics
of design as set forth in the department
circular. 1t is proposed now to change
these designs completely. to drop every
thing that has been done and start again.
with the intention of making the new ves-
seis larger than was intended and speedier
and consequently costlier.
ITO do this will require an amendment
TO the law providing for the building of
the three battleshps. That law says they
shall be of a displacement of about II uI
tons and shall not cost more than 100000
each. The board of construction decided
TO make the displacement II 500 tons which
1t considered was as far as it could go and
Keep within the law. When the plans first
were under discussion. the board unani-
mously agreed to make the ships practical
repetitions Of the Illinois type. with such
improvements as could be added without
materially modifying that type. The speed
was to be sixteen knots.
The chief engineer advocated the SUBJ
stitution of water tube boilers for the
Scotch boilers adopted for the Illinois, but
as IT was shown that it was not proposed
by such substitution to increase the speed.
the board voted down the proposition.
Later, when the experience derived from
the Santiago sea fight showed the import
ance OF speed in naval warfare. the sub
Ject was reopened, but il was demonstrat-
ed that with the limitation as to diSplace-
ment and cost imposed by the law and the
restriction as to depth of draught imposed
ny the shaiiowness of most of our harbors
IT was impossible to increase the speed of
the ships without either reducing their
armor protection or lessening their arma-
ment. 1t then was determined to adhere 10
the general designs laid down. but 10 give
preference, in awarding the contracts to
the bidders who would offer to produce the
highest speed
1t Is now proposed, and the proposal
was discussed at length at meeting of the
board of construction this afternoon. to de-
sign the new ships on a basis. of heavier
present law permits. with the idea that il
will take until about December to complete
the new plans and that, by that time. con-
sress will be in session and can be depend
ed on. in view of the showing made by
the navy in this war. to vote the increased
appropriation asked for and amend the ac,
So g. " icSdiiLS l!ie ieiNieI uiSjlittilitiit-
The proposition now under cOnsidera-
ton is to give the proposed ships Il dis
placement of 1900 tons. instead of 1i.Sao
and to fix their minimum speed at eighteen
knots, instead of sixteen. Chief Engineer
Melville has been asked to submit designs
of the newer improved machinery. includ-
ing water tube boilers. which he proposes
to INSTALL. with a view to developing an
eighteen-knot speed. These designs ready
Chief Constructor Hichborn will set his
bureau of construction and repair to WORK
on designs for hull to accommodate that
| machinery, with the requisite coal space
and the desired batteries.
The new scheme contemplates Tair
battery of twelve-inch and eisht-inch guns
instead of thirteen-inch and six-inch. as il
| the present designs. this change being
! prompted also by the lessons learned from
| the Santiago engagement
"A further and most important change
| proposed to be made in the new ships i:
the addition of copper sheathins. At {
| meeting this afternoon the board voted TN
| animously to have the new battleship:
sheathed. with view to preventing thu
| fouling of their bottoms and the loss o
| speed resulting therefrom. This is a re
| versal of the boards position on tn,
| Sheathng question. 1t has stood heretofore
| three to one against sheathing the bottoms
| of the battleships. Commodore HichhorI
| being the only advocate of the reform. Th
| experience of the fleet in Southern water
! during the present war. when the battle
| speed they started with, as the result o
marine growth on their hulis. has convinced
| the board that costly as the sheathirg is
| IL will be economical in the long run. sine
| it will enable the ships to retain their spec
| for an indefinite period