The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-09

portion Of 1864 Commodore Rowan. In the
absence of Admiral Dahlgren. was
in command of the South American
squadron. The new Irons!des having been
disabled by a torpedo he was placed in
command OF the Nadawasco. and on July
3. 1855. was promoted by selection TO be
Wye .sniral. In isss and 1861 he was
commandant of the Norfolk navy yard.
and from 1868 till 1870 he was commander
in-chief OF the Asiatic squadron.
His sea service covered period of more
than twenty-five years. He was raised
to the rank of vice admiral in 1870; was
commandant Of the New York navy yard
from 1872 TO 1872: president of the board
of naval examiners from 1879 to 1881: gov
ernor of the naval asylum at Philadelphia
in 1881; and superintendent of the naval
observatory in 1852. His last official ser
vices were performed as chairman of the
lighthouse board, TO which position he
was appointed in January. 1883. Admiral
Rowan was an able and skillful officer.
He rose equal 10 the grayest emergency.
and Was always calm. collected and re-
sourceful in the face of danger. while his
energy and incessant activity rendered his
services OF the greatest value 10 his adopt
ed country. His place is In the front rank
or the great sea,nen, who fought and won
immortal honor during the civil war. He
died at Washington. March 81. 1890.
Getting the Contract.
In the act making appropriations for
the naval service for the fiscal year end
ing June so, 1895. provision was made for
three tornedo boats. to cost not exceed
ing $4,000 each. The navy department
In advertising for these boats to be bull,
by contract, invited proposals under two
classes. as follows:
C.ass boats to be built and equipped
complete in all respects in accordance
with plans and specifications provided by
the secretary of the navy
Class SBoats to be built and equipped
complete in all respects in accordance
with plans and specifications provided by
the bidder. Iii response to this call bids
We're made by the. following firms: Union
Iron Works. San Francisco, Cal: Won
& wicker, Portland Or: Moran Bros
Company. and the Herreshon Manufac-
turing Company. Bristol. H. 7. Moran
Bros. being the lowest bidders in class /,
were awarded one boat in that class: the
other two. going under class 2, to the
Herreshoffs.
AT the time of this award these boats
were the largest and s~iftest torpedo
boats ever projected in this country,
Since then three boats. known as torpedo
boats Nos. 9, 10 and II, with the desig-
mated speed Of thirty knots, have been
contracted for: but as the last named
boats are more properly torpedo boat de-
stroyers 1t may still be said that the three
hrst mentioned are this most powerful
torpedo boats as yet designed. The speed.
twenty-six knots. and displacement 1S5
tons OF the Rowan may be said to about
mark the line for torpedo boats proper
When larger and swifter than this, to any
appreciate extent. the boats carry a
heavier battery and change class. becom-
ing torpedo boat catchers. or torpedo boat
destroyers. The new thrty-knot torpedo
boats mentioned In the foregoing belong
really to this class of vessels. being SINH
lar to the British Desperate and the
French Cyclone.