The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-08
20 Be Immensely Powerful Floating Fort
resses Of War,
IF the Suggestion Of Rear-Admira1
O'Neil, Chief Of the Ordnance
Department., Are Adopted-The
Guns Specified by the Naval Of
cia1 to be Carried by the Yes
sells.

Inc heaviest batteries yet placed Oh
any naval vessel in the world will be
carried by the Georgia, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, the new battleships au-
thorized by the last Congress, if the
suggestion of Rear Admiral O'Neil
Chief of the Bureau of Ordinance, are
adopted.
The ships are to have an approximate
displacement of 1850 tons each, and
speed and coal capacity emitting them
to be classed almost as armored cruis-
ers. By the tightening of the armor
belt, made possible by the greatly in
creased resisting power of the latest
armor, Rear Admiral O'Neil is enabled
to plan much heavier batteries. He
has proposed five separate plans for
the new ships.
Each provides for the same number
of guns of each caliber in the second
airy batteries and the same general ar
rangement, but modified by differences
in the main batteries. In the second
airy batteries each vessel is to carry
sixteen three-inch guns, thirty caliber
in length; sixteen three-pounders, four
automatic one-pounders, six single shot
one-pounders, ten machine guns and
two field guns.
In the main batteries one plan con-
templates four twelve-inch guns of
forty caliber; four eight-inch guns of
forty-five caliber and twelve five-inch
guns of fifty caliber. The twelve-inch
guns are to be mounted in barbette
turrets, fore and aft of the superstruc
ture, two eight-inch guns in barbette
on ri hao nd civ -jy,oh
guns in broadside, SO as to give the
largest possible arc of fire. This ar
rangement would give each ship a
broadside battery on each side of four
twelve-inch, two eight-inch and six
six-inch guns, in addition to the sec
ondary battery guns that are brought
to bear. The guns of the main bat
terry. that could be brought to bear di-
rectly fore and aft would be two
twelve-inch, four eight-inch and two
six-inch in addition to numerous Sec
ondary battery guns. The second plan
differs from the first in that it provides
for eight eight-inch guns, arranged in
four barbette turrets, two on each side.
There are two other plans identical
with this, except that one proposes to
substitute four ten-inch guns for the
twelve-inch, and the other proposes to
substitute two ten-inch and two twelve
inch for the four twelve-inch guns. In
these plans the fore and aft fire is the
same as in the first plan, but the broad
side fire is increased by two eight-inch
guns. The fifth plan differs from the
first in having no eight-inch guns and
increasing the number of six-inch to
sixteen, eight firing on each broadside
and four directly forward and two di-
rectly aft. The plan that will probably
meet with most favor, if it is found to
be practicable to carry it within the
limit of weights ultimately assigned to
the battery, is that of the four twelve
inch guns and eight eight-inch. The
eight-inch guns, is, of course, greatly
favored by navy men and proved it's
value in the Spanish war.
1t can be fired with rapidity and ac-
curacy and is very destructive against
light or even medium weight armor.
If 1t comes to a question of reducing
the number of eight-inch guns or reduc-
ing the guns from twelve-inch many
officers would advocate their reduction
in the size of part or all the heaviest
be adopted because the new ten-inch
guns, forty calibers in length, will have
as great penetrating power as the
twelve-inch guns of the type now in
service on the Iowa. The saving in
weight of guns and ammunition is very
great if the ten-inch guns are used,
and the dimensions of the turrets being
less for the ten-inch guns, there is also
a material saving in the weight of ar
NOR.
Admiral O'NeiPs suggestions contem-
plate the use of armor as light as is
consistent with good practice. The
water line belt, to extend the entire
length of the ship, is to be nine inches
thick along the vital portions and will
taper to four inches fore and aft of the
main barbettes. Diagonal armor nine
inches thick is to be much more gen.
orally distributed and the smaller guns
Of both the main and secondary bat
teries are to be given much better pro-
lection than in any battleship previous
ly designed.
A novel feature for the American
navy is proposition to isolate the six
inch guns in separate easements so that
a bursting shell might not put several
guns out of action.
Admiral O'Neils suggestions are ac
by tables comparing the eff
cheney of each of the proposed battery
plans with the batteries of the battle
ships already built and in course of
for the American navy.
The comparison is in favor of the pro-
cosed plan in every instance. In addi-
ton to their guns it is planned to give
each vessel two underwater torpedo
tubes.