New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-30
THE NEW BATTLE-SHIPS.
D, ANs FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION BEGUN
AND NAMES OF TWO CHOSEN.

JpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington. March 29-Chiei Oo"S"iu''0'
yJichhorn has already undertaken the prepare"
zion OF plans for the new batte-ships coh'e,n-
Mated in the Naval Appropriation o"'
which provides that the contracts TOT '"e 'o"-
.,ruc,,or os those vessels shall be made WITHIN
eix,y DAYS after the passage OF the act, ~ -
Nnronosed 10 make them the largest ana ""'''
shtns OF the American Navy. ana al 'eas' rs
formidable as any vessels IN forelSh nav 'e'' any
viii nv. about 1000 tons displacement. or
nearly 1000 more than the Iowa OF Nea
and Alabama classes Their maximum draush'
will he twenty-five feet when equipped ~.
active service with 1000 tons OF coal IN the
bunkers The machinery will be like that Oh 'he
Illinois class. developing 10000 horsepower a'
which a speed of something more than sixteen
knots ought to be secured.
THE VALUE OF SHEATHED HULLS
One of the chief novelties Mr.. Hichborn insists
upon is that the immersed section Of the steel
bulls shall be sheathed with four-inch plank and
covered with copper. in order render them
comparatively Independent OF docks. This Is
now the universal practice abroad for the most
recent batte-ships. and though first suggested
in this country many years ago. the United
States is one Of the last nations to adopt 1t;
with the result that just at present. when the
only Atlantic coast dock capable OF holding bat
tle-ships is disabled and when the speed or
battle ships may mean much, the Iowa. the In
diana and the Massachusetts having their
bottoms cleaned by divers. The foul growth on
the bottom of the Massachusetts, has decreased
her maximum forced draught speed from sixteen
knots. for which she has credit on the Naval
Register down to ten knots, which she actually
ACCOMPLISHED two months ago in fleet evoiu-
lions The Iowa. which in clean condition is the
fastest battle-ship in the Navy. capable OF over
seventeen knots is now also reduced to about ten
knots while the Indiana. which was last docked
at Halifax is reduced TO twelve knots speed.
With shea,hed hulls it is declared. the efi-
cheney Of such vessels would not be appreciapiy
diminished in several years.
NEW SHIPS POWERFUL BATTERIES.
The rev ships now being designed are to nave
the most powerful batteries so far arranged III
this country They will consist on each ship OF
four 13-inch rifles in eptical turrets with STOP
ing tops and inside OF the barhettc protecuoH
there will be eight S-inch guns and ABOUT
dozen 5-inch rapid-fre guns In tn" secondary
battery at least thirty rapid-hre ana machine
guns of various calbres will he dis'r'ou'ed III
the most favorable locations. all behind armor
which will afford ample protection to the gun
crews There will be four long Whitehead tor
nedo tubes 10 each ship and accommodations
will be provided for FIVE hundred men
officers and crew. The contracts will call for
their completion in two years
One Of the new ships. according 10 the terms
If the bill must be called the Maine. and Sec
rotary Long has determined 10 name the second
the Missouri California may be selected Tor
the third IL only three are built. although the
States Of Ohio Washington. Wyoming. Kansas
Pennsylvania and Montana are making claims
to recognition on the list
Plans are practically completed for the pro-
tected cruiser on tho CrcA: Lakes to replace the
Michigan. The SIX torpedo cruisers OF about
$50 tons displacement and the SIX torpedo-poats
of 12b tons VII, probably be built on approved
<SIans Furnished by the bidders. after the meth
cd successfully followed at the last competition
for vessels of this character
TESTING THE KEARsARGEs ARMoR
Harveyized armor- plate OF seventeen inches
thickness. tapering to nine inches at its lower
edge. and representing the last instalment or
side armor for the Kearsarge. is TO be tested
at the Indian Head proving grounds in q few
days. where 1t Will be attacked by 'o-inch
CUR. This constitutes the last batch OF srmor
now under contract for the Government. and tho
two great plants will be Idle IN 'he erInor de-
partmeats until Congress authorizes the Navy
Department TO enter Into contracts for the vast
quantity needed for the battle ships Alabama,
Wisconsin and Illinois, the hulls of those yes
sells now being ready to receive their side pro-
lection. In anticipation Of increased construc-
ton WOrk, Orders were caDIed To-Day 20 ASSIST
ant Naval Constructor William G. Groesbeck
and Naval Cadet Richard II. Robinson. who are
now taking the course In naval architecture at
the University Of Glasgow. Scotland, to return
at and report to the Navy Department for
duty.
Secretary Long has finally approved the
recommen lation OF Captain Philip II. Cooper.
SUPERINTENDENT Of the Naval Academy. that
Assistant Naval Constructor Richard +. Hob
son and the three naval cadets f.. +. Egg
CERT w G. Dubose and J. w. Powell who are
at architecture
be given an opportunity TO study the perform
ence OF battle~ships. cruisers and torpedo boats
in actual engagements should war occur and
they were ordered TO the flagship NewYork TO-
day.
SECRECY AT FORTITICATIONS.