New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-25
SIX GREAT WARSHIPS.
LANs OF THE NAVAL BOARD ON CON-
STRUCTION.
HREE BIG BATTLEsHIPs AND THREE

SWIFT ARMoRED CRUIsERs-DEs1GNs
INFERIOR TO THOSE OF THE
LATEST FOREIGN VESSELS.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Washington, oct. 24.--The Naval Board on
obstruction has finally adopted tentative plans
" three new batteships superior in offensive
rmidaeility 10 any vessels yet designed or
aiding for the United States After 1--WE pro-
nged meetings, required FOR partially har-
onizing widely divergent views on the various
atures Of the ships which were authorized by
ongress last March. the bureau chiefs who
impose the Board. to-day. with a single dis
nting voice on one or two points, agreed TO the
sneral features which are reasonably sure Of
sing embodied in the complete drawings and
)ecifcations The battleships are 10 be i'm
-oved Kearsarges two thousand tons heavier.
ree knots faster and with two additional
,svy guns.
The battery Is the most difficult question 70
,termine in all warships. the object being 10
ut as many heavy guns as possible along the
,ntre line in order that they might be fred on
9TH broadsides, rather than placing them on
Their side Of the ship, where their range Of fire
ould be reduced one-half. The discussion
nons the rear adrnirals of the Board has been
,nfned principally TO securing the highest pos
bic utility for the guns and 20 secure with
Re least weight Of gun the heaviest fire On q
rget. wherever II might lie Four members
Re convinced that the superimposed turret OF
IL Kearsarge class fulfs all desirable condi
ons as to saving weight and securing the wild
Il angle Of aim. and they have satisfied them
lives as practical men that no difficulties will
encountered in actual practice in the use OF
ich double turrets. The obvious advantages
such an arrangement involving the greatest
,ssible concentration Of fire. together with a
ngle barbette were adopted for the Kearsarge
al the Kentucky after thorough study by some
the most accomplished as We'll as cautious
en- in the service and the members Of the
resent Board. who year ago opposed the in
,vation as a doubtful experiment. have now
ith one exception become ardent advocates Of
q idea.
BATTERIES OF THE BATTLESHIPs.
This point settled II was decided to mount a
mple OF Pinch new-pattern guns in the lower
objection instead Of the 13-inch old style guns
the Kearsarge. and 70 retain a couple Of s.
Oh latest type guns in the upper turret. The
oard, after deciding that at least four add
onal S-inch guns were needed in the main bat
ny Of the new ships, and following the adopted
'actice which insists that all S-inch guns must
I've turret protection has placed two such tur-
IT'S with twin S-inch guns amidships one on
ich broadside. and 20 M the heavy battery
selve quick fire 6-inch rifles disposed along
Q broadsdes behind fat armor. The Kear-
rye has fourteen 5-noh guns in broadsde.
I'd AZ first IL was proposed simply to substitute
y these the same number OF 6-inch calibre but
e experts who watch practice abroad showed
at 6-inch guns could not perforate the side
NOR OF many OF the first class vessels now
ader construction in Europe and that S-inch
ans, regardless Of the extra weight their tur
rs compelled, were Indispensable
The battery practically established, IL was de-
rmined that 9-inch armor over the most vital
lrts Of the ship. tapering 10 Az inches in less
lngerous localities would provide ample pro-
ction If the latest improved processes were
Ted The remaining fixed weights adopted
ere 1000 tons for coal and about l,2OO tons
r machinery. These weights. including stores.
'ew and auxiliaries, are to be carried on a dis
.acement Of 1880 tons and with this data
,e Chief Constructor Of the Navy will now go
work and find out whether a hull can be de-
sed 10 fill the requirements. and the Depart
ent will be in position to advertise FOR bids as
ron as Congress authorizes the purchase Of
gh grade armor.
PLANS FOR THE CRUISERS.
At the meeting to-day the Board also settled
ntatively on the salient features Of the three
.eat armored cruisers, the discussions on bat
sship designs having developed all the informa-
On required for both classes. They are TO have
1000 tons displacement. compared with the
sw-York's $500 and TO have not less than
Fenty-two knots speed, as compared with the
ew-Yorks twenty-one knots. They will carry
900 tons 81 coal, giving them double The New
ork's steaming radius 1t Is proposed 10 arm
em with twin S-!nch guns in turrets one for
ard and one aft. as on the New-York (the
rooklyn has double the number). and sixteen
inch rapid fire guns IN broadside, where the
ew-York has only twelve 4-inch and the Brook
n twelve 5-inch. The three new cruisers will
ave % 900 horse power. with a protective deck
ree inches thick on the fat top and four inches
the slopes as in the batteships The armoI
rejection will depend on the weight available
TER the hull is designed.
For both classes Of these ships Engineering
nief Melville urged the adoption of triple
rews but the proposition was voted down by
- other members OF the boaIN' II was sHo"i
.at 10 per cent Of the coal would be saved al
,dinary cruising speed by the use OF triple
.rews and that there would be no engines IN
,upled at critical moments. as happened witt
lmpson's ships at Santiago the day Cervera
lrne out. but the Board decided on twin screws
IT both classes Of vessels. Rear Admiral Mel
1le also advocated a speed Of not less thar
yenty-three knots for the cruisers. that oeinf