New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-03
THE FORMIDABLE ILLINOIS.
FIRST OF THE HEAVY BROADSIDE BAT
TLE-SHIPS AND HER IRREGULARITIES.


Washington. July 1.-The battle ships of the
Illinois class under construction are
the favortes among the Naval Bureau OH
Gals particularly those Of construction and ord
nance among the latter on account of the in
comparable armament with which these ships
are provided in contrast to the most formidable
vessels building abroad. while Chief Con-
structor Hichbcrn has Just shown his Partially
for the splendid floating citades by securing
the fine oil painting OF Ideal naval notila
exhibiting the most characteristic types OF
United States naval vessels grouped around
the Illinois, which flies the Admirars pennant
at her maintOp
The other vessels in the picture beginning at
the extreme left. the gunboat Marietta,
which has just made the marvellous cruise from
San Francisco to Key West with an utter disre-
gard Of the danger involved; the Puritan. the
heaviest ard most formidable Of the rcmodclled
double-turret monitors: the Iowa. during the
present the most powerful OF American
battle-ships In action. and on the extreme right
the thirty-knot torpedo boat Stringham. now
pproaching completion
The signals flying from the foremost Of the
Illinois read: Commanding officers repair on
board the flagship" this being the identical
message that Dewey sent aloft the Olympia
AFTER the llrSt hdlf OF the battle g.! Manila, when
the Spanish ships having been destroyed ne
withdrew his fleet out Of range Of The shore bat !
teries temporarily in order to give his men their |
breakfasts prior to completing the work OF that |
memorable May |.
The Illinois Is now building at Newport News |
and under contract must be finished before Oc-
tober Of next year. Her hull and machinery
are to cost over 81 800 900 her armor and guns
nearly S2O0OOO0 more. and when fully equipped
FOR sea she will represent an expenditure Of
over SGOO0OOO one of her sister ships the
Alabama. has already been launched at Cramps
In Philadelphia, and the other named for the
state of Wisconsin. is advancing rapidly at
SCOTS. In san Francisco. where the famous
oregon was built. The Illinois IL the first OF the
heavy broadside battle ships designed for the
new Navy. her five predecessors having the guns
OF their main batteries protected wholly by iur-
rets. which are either OF the ordinary circular
or balanced clptical form. The bow and stern
l3-nch turrets Of these latest ships are OF horse
shoe section. the gun muzzles protruding
through a slanting plate OF armor at the heel. ,
The first G-inch guns Of the American Navy
TO be provided with rapid fire breech mechanism
will be mounted on these ships fourteen Of them
10 each vessel Heretofore no calibre greater ,
han 3 inches had the advantage OF rapd-nre A.,
ma nipulation but the mechanical difficulties r
rave finally been overcome. and where the or
iinary breech loading G-inch rifles on existing
hips can be made to discharge their one hun
lred-pound projectilcs only three times In two I
minutes, the 6-inch guns OF the Illinois viii .
AVE rapidity Of seven shots In the same :,
erod.
The three new ships will be provided with a
quarters. and will be the most CON g.
picuous ships In the Navy until greater vcssels q