Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-03-05
SPAIN BUYING WARShIPS.
Buys Two Cruisers oi Armstrong; and Is
Looking After Others.

London. March 4.-Spain has purchased
two cruisers which the Armstrong; have
been building for Brazil. the Amazunius
and sister ship unnamed. Of io99 cons
Zach y knots ana ~ guns. Spain is Also
negotiating for and Will probably secure
two cruisers Of a similar type which have
been building in France for Brazil. The
AmaZonius Is ready for launching and
her sister ship will be ready shortly.
The Spanish government is also cndeav-
orine 10 secure guns and large supplies
of ammunition in England and on the
continent for immediate use.
The government Uf Spain seems To have
funds. for il is understood To be paying
4 large part Of the purchase money in
cash, giving good securities for the bal
ance. these being the only terms upon
which the Armstrong; would deal with
them.
Some weeks ago Spain attempted TO
purchase ships and supplies in England
on credit, from prominent firms having
close relations with the government here.
but after inquiries. the firms refused to
give credit. Since then Spain has raised
funds from unknown sources. Diplomats
in London express the belief that French
iinanciers are helping the Spanish gov
ernment.
1t is known that Spain is trying to pur-
chase three other ships which are being
built by the Armstrongs. but she has
not Yet succeeded in making Il bargain
United States. wishes 70 forestan her:
The United States could also forestall
Snain in the purchase of other ships
building in England ana continental dock
Yards.
While Chilli denies that any Of the ships
ordered for that country are for sale. il
Is believed by naval constructors that
Chili's best cruiser. the OHiggins WHICH
is Just tinished could be purchased
The ruAtrongS have been building
thr' - 1lisefs Tor Brazil, the Amazonas
'notf tZonius>; the Barrozo and a new
crl isl. MT named. They are sister ships,
huhIt nc Reel. sheathed and are OF $500 tons
likDl.V Nttnt ana 200 indicated horse
n4Var inacSc vessels are 81; feet long
have ~ Ittt, inches beam, draw IS feet.
l1 inches, and have twin propclerS. over
their guns positions they have ~ inches
Of armor and their deck plating is in
ches thick. The cruisers carry six 6-inCh
quick firing guns. four finch kuns 10 o.
FOUNDER guns, four 1-pounder guns and
four small rapid firing guns. They have
three torpedo tubes. their speed is esti-
mated at ~ knots and they carry 700 tons
of coal
The vessels which France is building
for Brazil at La Seyne, are two fine
armored vessels of steel the Marshal
i)eodoro ant the Marshal Floriano. both |
OF 1@lb2 tons displacement and ;I00 horse |
power. They are 261 feet. 6 inches long
nave y feet beam and draw l3 feet in |
chcS. Both Of these vessels have two pro- |
pellerS and are to steam r. knots. They
carry 236 tons of coal and have crew /!
ot 200 men each Their armored belts |
are OF Harveyizcd steel. l33. inches thick |
ana over their gun positions they have I
~ 70 81 inches of Harveyized steel. Their |
deck plating is Il inches thick. The arna- |
mtnt of these two vessels is COMPOSED of |
Two 9.4-inch guns. two a.9-inch howitzcrs.
Tour li-inch quick firing guns, four e.
Founders. two 1-poInderS and two small |
rapit fire guns. They have two torpedo
tubes.