The times., 1898-01-09

their hullS aft are OF unusual shape.
Above the water line they appear nor
NAL, but Immediately below they are
followed out into two tunnels. within
which the screws work, the water flow
ing easily and amply 10 them. The
result is immediate response Of motion,
something particularly needful in mar
row .swift-running rivers. The overhang
of the stern also protects the screws
from passing craft, gunfire from cliffs
and humping against shelving banks.
There are two rudders, one forward OF
the other on the center line The un-
healthfui conditions of river service in
the East have been met in many wise
sanitary provisions in the shape OF un-
usual berthing space and extensive
means of ventilation and drainage. The
record Of the past quarter of CEN
tuTy has shown the harboring of rafu-
gees to be the principal mission of ma
val vessels in China and in providing
room for many more than the service
complement the boats are fitted to that
end well as for quick and ready
transportation Of formidable bcdy of
men And further, to this latter end,
these gunboats carry larger boats than
those commonly allotted to craft OF
their size, that they may either land
or embark rapidly considerable force.
A double set of awnings fore and aft
VIII yield comforting shelter in the sun
shine, while permitting the men to
sleep upon the decks at night beyond
the reach of dangerous drenchinS,
tropical devs.
There are many special fittings
which add considerably to the comfort.
convenience and efficiency of ali three
of these boats, and every bit of the
woodwork is fire-proofed by an cleo
trolytical process. Much has been said
on this subject and by the press gem
orally against fire-proofing. but. prop
erly and intelligently handled, the ma
terials so treated respond perfectly,
and the beautiful polished furniture
finished woodwork and carvings OIL
these vessels are evidences that speak
for themselves
OF the six composite gunboats con-
structed in accordance with the act OF
March 2, 1895, your contemporary says..
The outside plating reaches down to a
line abreast the berth deck, point av
eraging about four feet below the water
line. The planking extends upward to
a general height of twenty-four inches
above the water line. and with the ex-
ception of the uppermost three inches
is coppered throughout Every care
has been taken to prevent galvalic ac-
ton and the best British practice has
peSIl lIt dtCcNtSu mere
but one course of planking. The ad-
vent of these composite vessels in the
United States Navy marks a new era
in American structural practice, and it
is the first move toward that sheathing
of ships so wisely advocated by Chief
Naval Constructor Philip H;chborn.
Had his suggestions prevailed before.
and had they been carried out TO the
extent recommended by him years ago,
American battleships and cruisers
would have been sheathed. and the
present lack of docking facilities might
have been viewed with less concern.
THE engines of both the singie-screw
and the twin-screw vessels are of the
three cylinder, vertical, triple-expan-
sion type. AS a question of types, in
the single-screw beats. very judieious
combination, it is thought, of the steam
and the sailing ship has been adopted,
with lines carefully adapted to the ex-
igencies of both services. and with a
promised speed, under sail alone. equal
to, If not superior to, that of the best
steaming conditions. while in the twin
screw boats are presented examples of
steam power in all its elf-sufficiency,
provided nothing breaks. AT best the
activity of the Marietta and the Wheel |
ing must be narrowed down to the pos
sibilitieS of 236 tons of coal, dwindling /
necessarily all the while. The range !
of the Annapolis, Newport, Princeton /
and Vicksburg will be practically un-
limited, setting aside the question OF !
and should either their en-
gines or their coal fail. they will each |
have all the independence promised by /
a fair wind and a spread of II, ,156 feet |
of canvas
Let sheathing be tried. and if it I
should not prove success. as it un- 1
doubted1y would. it could be easily re-
without damage to the vessels, I
and the people-whO have willingly con-
tributed the many millions our new
navy has so far cost and will as will
ngly contribute as many more MILL ms,
provided Uncle Sam asserts his old
time manhood-will be satisfied.
WILLIAM HOWARD MILLS.