New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-15

The San Francisco sustained no damage in the
heavy head seas. but the steering gear Of the
New-Orleans was slightly deranged
The cruisers took on coal at Halifax on Mon
day. but orders to come this city reached
Commodore Howell. Of the San Frarcisco be-
fore the coaling was finished. and the two YES
sells left Halifax on Tuesday morning.
OFFICERS OF THE CRUISERS.
The San Francisco which was the former
flagship the European station. IS commanded
by Captain Richard P. Leary. The other officers
Of the San Francisco are Lieutenant-Comnlander
Arthur P. Nazro, Lieutenant William Kllburn.
Leutenants 0unior grade) Marbury Johnston
and Charles NJ. Fahs and Chief Engineer Will
fam H. Harris.
Commodore John A. Howell, OF the European
Station, Is on board the San Fra ncisco. At the
present time he crew OF the San Francisco
numbers 80 men, while the New Orleans has
only 1875 The officers Of the New-Orleans are;
Lieutenant Commander A. P. Nazro. Lieutenant
n. Johnston. Ensign ". d. Macdonald Ensign
". ]. Manion, Passed Assistant Surgeon A. w.
Dunbar, Passed Assistant Engineer L. D. Miner.
First Lieutenant L. S. NJ. c., G. Barnett and
Acting Boatswain J. Hartman. When the New
Orleans goes into commission Captain William
N. Foger will be in command
The New Orleans has a cargo OF rapid-fre
guns include thirty-fou Nordenfeldt and Maxim
rifles, and some Of other patterns. The New
Orleans has also some supplies for the Navy
Department, and she vii! be sent to the Navy
Yard to unload these first. Then the munitions
for the War Department will be taken by lighter
to the arsenal on Governors Island The shells
will have to go 10 Fort Wadsworth 10 be loaded.
and then both guns and their projectiles will be
distributed among the various fortifcations
which need them most
The New Orleans purchased by this Gov
eminent on March IA last from Brazil She
was then Just ready to leave the yard Of her
builders. the Armstrong;. OF Newcastle, Eng
land. She is one OF the finest representatives
of what is known as the protected cruiser class
Of warships Vessels Of this type have great
speed. a large coal-carrying capacity. enabling
them TO cover long distances without having to
run in to coaling stations. They are protected
by comparatively light armor. They are en-
tire!y devoid Of vertical side armor. protection
against of shells into the vital
parts Of the ship being assured by continuous
deck OF Steel which curves downward toward
the bow and stern. and also tow ard the sides OF
the vessel. where 1t meets the sideplating sew
eral feet balow the water-line. The space be-
tween the curved sides Of the deck and the verti
cal plating OF the ship is occupied by the coal
bunkers. which are arranged along the side OF
the ship in the wake of the engines and boilers
The inclined steel deck in the Of the New
Orleans is three inches In thickness and this
mbined with six or eight feet of coal would
serve TO keep out all except the heavy rapid
fire shells OF the enemy. A ship Of this type
never carries what known arInor p!erc-
ing guns. She has place In the line OF bat
tie. where she would be IN danger Of being sunk
by single shot from the big guns TIE duty
Of the protected cruiser is TO serve as the out
look. or eyes. OF the fleet. keeping touch with
the enemy and hurryng back TO the main
squadron as soon as she gets sight Of the hostile
feet.
The protected cruiser is supposed to engage
Art,. n hQr n ~ mo ha n TIM
which have been equipped with guns. She
must be. swift enough 20 run away from the
ttle-ship. and swift enough TO overtake and
bring to an engagement vessels Of her own
class. Hence up-to-date protected cruiser
Of the frs; class seldom has less than 20 knots
speed.
The main dimensions. etc, OF the New Orleans
are as follows:
Length 800 tset
bs:% feet fee, 10 inches
Displacement $500 tons
She is driven by twin engines Of 300 horse
power at a speed of twenty knots under natural
draught. Under forced draught she attained a
MAXIMUM speed OF 21O3 knots per hour.
POWERFUL ARMAMENT.
The armament is very powerful for the size Of
the ship 1t consists of six 6-inch four 47-inch
and ten 2.24-inch rapid fire guns besides four
1-pounder Nordenfedts. four Maxine and two
field guns for landing operations Three above
water torpedo tubes are fitted. OF which one
fires right ahead and one on each broadside
very heavy fore and aft fire can be obtained.
two Of the 6-inch guns are In shields the
poop and forecastle The other four spon-
soned we'll out. two forward and two aft. The
47-inch guns are carried in recessed ports.
10 be clear OF the fire of the larger pieces. The
ammunition Is supplied through HOSTS worked
by electric motors. and seven rounds gun can
be fired each minute Four electric search
lights fitted. one on platform each
mast and the others on deck. The ship Is cleo
trically lighted throughout.
PLUNGER NEARLY READY FOR TRIAL.
GAS ENoINps NEED ovERHAULLNG-ARTnLER
FOR BALTIMORE FoRrs-coLoNEL HAINs's
TOUR or INSPECTION.
Baltimore April 1.-THE Holland submarine boat
Plunger. building at the Columbian Iron Works In
this city. is about ready for her trial II has
been said that she only about 90 per cent
pleted. but the officials OF the Columbian company
assert that II remains necessary only to overhaul
49, %.,oln OfNac poft - do t.o