River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-06-15

what is called greater radius of &C
ton" than battleship; that is, it can
steam a greater distance on one coal
ing.
The protected cruiser is ship
without armor in the proper sense
of the term; that is to say, without
armor placed vertically on its sides.
The word protected means that the
ship is provided with a protective deck.
This is structure which begins at each
side of the ship some little'distance be-
low the water line and slopes upward
on each side towards the middle line
of the ship to a point somewhat above
the water line, and then the inner edges
of these slopes are connected by fiat
deck, covering what is known as the
vitals of the ship, that is to say, the
boilers, machinery, magazines and the
larger part of the coal bunkers. The
thickness of the protective deck varies
in different ships, but usually 1T is
about four inches thick on the slopes
and about one and one-half to two
inches thick on the fiat or horizontal
part.
A gunboat, or gun vessel, is simply
an armed steamer of comparatively
small dimensions, with no protection
of any kind except usually water
tight deck of ordinary ship plate, which
is worked over the boilers, machinery
and magazines.
Under each of the above heads there
are again wide diversities of type and
model. In most navies battleships are
divided into two, or sometimes three,
classes-first. second and third. In our
own navy there are thus far but two,
the frst-rate being represented by such
ships as the Indiana, Iowa and Oregon,
and the five new ones now building and
also the three new ones just contracted
for; the second rate being represented
at present only by the Texas. Armored
cruisers are similarly classified. At
present we have but two armored cruis-
ers, strictly speaking, in our navy, the
New York and Brooklyn. Protected
cruisers are also classified in most
nayies into three different rates. I'm
der the French rating we have only
two first-class protected cruisers in our
navy. The Columbia and Minneapolis
are the only protected cruisers we
have which would be classed as first
rate in the British navy. The Olympia,
which is the next largest, would be
rated as second-class protected cruis-
er in the British navy. She is general
ly considered a first-rate protected
cruiser by our naval authorities.
The tendencies of more recent de-
signs is to reduce the distinction which
has hitherto prevailed between the bat
tleship and the armored cruiser types.
That is TO say, in the designing of bat
tleships within the last two or three
years naval architects have reduced the
thickness and weight of armor and also
the caliber of the guns and increased
the engine power and speed, in the di-
rection of the armored cruiser type,
while on the other hand there has been
a tendency to increase the size and
fighting power of armored cruisers to
a point more nearly approaching the
character of the battleship. Conse-
quently at this time the line of demar-
cation, from the naval architects point
of view. as between the battleship and
armored cruiser is becoming quite in
distinct. In fact, it may be said that
about the only material distinction be-
tween the two in the most modern de-
signs is that the armored cruiser is
planned to be two or three knots fast
er than the battleship at maximum
speed, and to have somewhat great
er coal-carrying capcity.
Now you know as much on the sub
ject as naval expert; at least super
ficially.
Admiral Dewey has lived aboard ship
for almost two years without inter
mission. Ever since he sailed into Ma
Mia bay and began to whizz. bang and
smash things with his big guns and
rapid-firing guns. he has lived on ship
board.
For several months more Admiral
Dewey will dwell on the Olympia, and
then he win permanently reside in the
national capital. On his famous flag
ship he win go to China for change
of climate. He will then go to India,
and thence around the Suez canal. sail
ing over historic and sometimes sacred
waters. Over him viii float the four
starred flag of an admiral. and wher
ever he goes that flag will receive an
appropriate salute.
The sensible people of this country
have concluded to give Admiral Dewey
a welcome such as no naval commander
ever before received. They will not
have him carried around the country
like a curiosity; nor will they attack
his health with the banquets of so cit
les They will have him met at sea
by a squadron of vessels of the new
navy. They will have him royalty re-
ceived in New York, and then, when he
reaches Washington. they will present
him with a magnificent permanent
residence. Popular subscriptions are
being made, and the committee in
charge of the matter believe that not
only viii enough be subscribed TO pur-