Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-04

peace. They are to back I'D the presence
or the flag with sufficient force to make
revolutionary neighbor hesitate before
working a commercial hardship and they
are TO go nosing around at an economical
rate ana with comforting frequency in
those corners of the globe where it is well
10 emphasize the fact that Uncle Sam is
not too much engrossed with the tradi-
uonai charm of his own domesticity. These
shps nave been especially designed to wear
wen troplcai waters; to carry abundant
coal for a wide radius Of action; to be of
draft light enough to enable them to do
considerable inland water work. and to be
OF gun-poWer sufficient to render a good
account of themselves If hostilities arise
IN thelr CHOSEN Held of operations.
Modern Construction.
To begin, the ships are to be built of
steel, but their bottoms and sides up to
minimum of two feet above the water-line
are to be sheathed with heavy pine plank
ing WINCH in turn, is to be covered with
copper. The purpose of the copper coating
is to prevent the accumulation of marine
growths, animal and vegetable, which so
seriously hamper the movements of ships
not so protected, and lead to an extrava-
giant outlay in wasted fuel The advan-
tage OF sheathing and coppering the bot
toms or our vessels was amply exemplified
curing our late war and it was long ad-
Focated by the present chief constructor
before IL was adopted in our service.
a menace to the life of a ship in action, will
be reduced to a minimum on these new
vessels, galvanized bulkheads of light met
al forming the major part of the partitions
craft. Where Indispensable the wood will
be used, but it will be freproofed by
process of tried efficiency. The boats will
De hShted throughout by electricity: VEN
uiated upon improved plans, and other
wise htted up with those marks of modern
lty which stamp the craft of today a health
ful, comfortable habitaton for the men
that must make their home upon her either
III sunshine or storm, in conflict or peace.
Schooner Rugged.
The boats are rugged as fore-and- aft
schooners, and have each spread of can
vas amounting to quite enough to give the
Storage way in good breeze besides max
iEg them steadier seaboats when under
steam. There Will be one signal yard on
the foremost and a set of Ardois electric
light signals on the mainmast.
The hull protection, If the term can be
SO used in connection with vessels of this
type VIII consist primarily of a half-inch
protective deck extending the whole length
OF the ship and reaching from side to
side. The disposition of the 700 tons of
coal carried helps to protect the engines
bollers and magazines from direct gun
fire, while belt of cellulose, running fore
and-aft the whole length of the vessel iust
within the outer skin along the water line
will automatically plug all non-explosive
shot-holes admitting water.
1t has been estimated that the 700 tons
of coal which each of these vessels will
be able TO stow in its bnnkers alone, will
be enough to insure radius action, at full
speed. of run across the Atlantic, while
at cruising speed of ten knots an hour
they VIII be able to cover 9,SQD miles with
out other supply. AT an eight-knot Jog
which would be the more likely cruising
speed, these vessels should certainly be able
II1l4