The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-02

Ammen Ram. is a freak in naval archi-
lecture and. although opinions are divi-
ded as to her qualities, there is little
doubt that her presence in any harDor
would make an enemy anxious. She hes
mostly under water with turtle back
of steel varying in thickness from "a
! to inches. and the theory of her de-
signer. Admiral Ammen, was that TINS
armor plate could not be struck directly
nv a shot from another vessel, and that
any such shot would he harmlessly de-
anctod Inv thc sloping steel deck. In ac-
t;on the coming tower and snrokestack
.re about all of the. ship that would
present a mark. The former is made
If steel Is inches thick. The Katahdin
is ram. pure and simple, having i'll the
wav of weapons of offense nothing except
her sharp steel heak and a few rapid are
rnns TO keep off boar(lers or torpedo
heats. When she was designed her
spced was placed at very high mark,
but she did not realize expectations owing
TO her peculiar constructive underwater
model. Her personnel will be as fol-
lows:
Captain. Commander Wilde, at present
Naval Secretary of the Light House
Board: Executive Officer, Lieutenant
Lowe: Navigator Lieutenant Culver;
Chief Engineer Beig, and Ensign Camp
hell The two vessels have crews re-
spectively of $50 and 90 men.
WHY MAINE WASN'T ANCHORED.
1t was learned at the Navy Depart
ment to-day why the Maine was tied up
to a buoy in Havana harbor instead OF
anchoring, Il fact that has been the
base for some of the theories as to the
cause of the disaster. 1T is stated that
not only is n man of war at buoy in
much better place for quick service than
when anchored, but it appears that if Il
ship casts her anchor in Havana harbor,
so foul and polluted with yellow fever
and other disease germs is the mud
that adhers to it when it is hOisted,
that the ship must so into quarantine
upon her return to any Florida port.
An indication that the Court of In
quiry is either far from having reached
any conclusion or else is disposed with
a view to meeting future criticism, to col
lect all possible evidence whether il be
deemed essential or not. is the call to
their assistance of experts. 1t has al
ready been a matter of comment that
with all the ability comprised in this
Court of Inquiry it has one weak spot.
namely, the lack of practical experience
Of the construction of a ship in its mem
hers. This is no part of the duty of Il
line officer. so that no reflection rs car
RED by the statement. To remedy their
shortcomings the court has called upon
the department to send to their aid n
constructor and carpenter. and IN COM
plianee with the request Secretary Long
has directed Naval Constructo" Hoover
and Carpenter Helm to report to the
court at Key West. 1t is expected that
they will go 10 Havana when the court
returns there. and from their familiarity
with the structure of the Maine. on
which both of these men worked When
she was built in the New \ ork Navy
Yard they will be of great assistance not
only in suggesting easy methods of work
for the divers, but also in identifying
portions of the wreck The latter con-
sideration is one of the greatest mpor-
lance in view of the statements that
have come from Havana to the effect
that some of the shin'S bottom plates
have been found in he debris above
water. 1t is said at the department
that if this is true. the fact viii be of
importance But, It IS added. it would
not be necessarily conclusive evidence
as to the source o. the explosion, for it
is conceivable that ms the deck was
blown up it might easily have pulled up
with it some of the frames and bolt. IN
plating which are regIdly attached !y
rivets.
Without doubt the two experts VIII lie
much better qualified than the line Off
GERS or divers to identify any such
pieces of plate.