Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-18
4 NEW PRACTICE SHIP.
One Is Being Built for the Use OF
Naval Cadets


From ;he Scientific American
Ii is a matter Of common observation
that the coming OF steam into the navy
has tended to eliminate the old-time sailor
as he is recorded in the tales of Can't.
Marryat and other popular writers OF sea
stories. We are all OF us familiar with
the pictures of the old ships of the line
ana frisatos as represented by the Consti-
tuition, with their towering masts and
Their vast spread of snowy canvas. They
We're picturesque &c the last degree and
Ia the work Of keeping them in first-class
order there was at all times abundance of
skill and plenty OF hard work required of
the nan-of-war's man. When the first
arrlored battle ships made their appear
ance they were provided with a fun spread
of sail and except for its greater length
ana ITS sil gle row of ports, there was ut
tie to distinguish the side-armored shin Of
twenty years ago from the wooden frigates
OF an earlier uay.
with the increasing speed ard the in
creased destructive power of the lighter
guns, Laval constructors began 10 feel the
necessity CT reducing the amount of top
hamper CARR ID by the Slips and in course
oil time the three masts gave place to two.
Even these were in time stripped of their
Eards ana running gear, until now The
only representative CT the yards ana sticks
OF an earlier day is a couple of straight
steel towers, to which the name of mast
is still given, perhaps by way OF courtesy.
As consequence Of these changes there
has been deterioration in the seamanship
OF the average Jack Tar compared with
his predecessor in the days OF the sailing
frfgate and the three-decker.
1t is realized that in order to give our
officers the fullest possible training for
their duties. it will be of great advantage
TO The navy to POSSESS training ship
which will be fully equipped with sail
power. In his last
Z. II. Cooper. superintendent of the Naval
Academy, says: 1t is entirely useless 20
argue that sufficiently good seamen can
be made on board the steamers or auxtl-
larry steamers, for there is an education of
the nerves and brain and the habit of
command which Cn,y be incucated i'm
the same school which has reared the
greatest naval con. rlanderS lie world has
seen, and that school has been the sailing
ship. / cannot urge too strongly my
former recommendation that Congress be
urged 10 authorize the building CT two
moderate sized composite sailing vessels,
which should be supplemented by two
small Erigs fer stationary work.
One of these vessels is being constructed
for the use of the cadets at the United
States Naval Academy. Annapolis, Mi. The
ship was designed by Chief Constructor
HichbCrn of the United States navy, and
she is a beautifully modelled ship. with
fine lines and a considerable sheer both
forward and aft. She has high free
board, and should render a good account
Of herself in stormy weather. She will
have total sail spread of about 10000
square feet, and with her easy lines she
will undoubtedly prove to be a speedy
craft. The Vessel is TO be constructed IF
steel, and the bottom will he sheathed
with yellow pine and copper. The captain
will have special accommodation in the
after part of the vessel, and there will be
accommodation fer ten ward-room officers.
two warrant officers, $50 cadets and a
crew of 90 men.
1t is proposed to make the lower masts
and lower yards of steel. the balance %
yellow pine or spruce. The proposed ar
rangcnent of battery consists Of six 4-inch
rapid-fire guns the gun deck. four g.
pouncerS and two 1-pouhaers on the spar
deck. The boats carried Will be one 30
foot steam cutter, che 30-foot launch. two
2S-foot cutters one 2S-foot whale boat. one
2s-foot gig whale boat and one 20-foot
dingy. Two small boilers are to be sup
piled to furnish steam for the steam wind
lass. steam pumps. heating and for the
dynamos the vessel being wired for cleo
trio lighting: steam is also to be furnished
to the distiliing apparatus and refrigerat-
ing plant. General dimensions: Length on
water line, 10 feet; breadth al water line,
"a feet; draught forward. Il feet inches;
draught aft. IL feet inches; mean
draught. 16 feet inches, and displace-
ment. about 1.1%5 tons. The vessel is to
cost about S141,00o.