The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-07
ENORMOUS SUMS FOR ARMOR.
Bids TO He opened Tomorrow fol.
Over 10000 Tons


Bids to ne Opened Tomorrow for
Over 10000 Tons.
In all the history of the United States
Navy such enormous sums were never stat
ed on competition as will be involved in
the bids to1be opened at the department
at neon tomorrow for armor plate protec-
ton for the new battleships and cruisers
authorized at The last two sessions of Con-
gress. It is estimated that no less than
sS9,000,GO0 is involved in the contract
which, to be completed within the time
limits. must be divided among several
firms The fact that over 10000 tons Of
forged steel, hardened by the latest Inn
proved processes, are to be purchased at
one time indicates to what an amazing
extent American sea power has developed
and how formidable q programme of naval
increase has been undertaken. This ar
NOR includes the heavy plates for eight
battleships and three armored cruisers and
thinner plates for three lighter cruisers.
Two firms have hitherto monopoliZed the
armor business and it is doubtful if there
are any others capable of supplying the
heaviest and highest grade of plates re-
CURED for the great battleships and armor-
ed cruisers Several smaller firms which
previously have not been classed as COM
petent to manufacture any class of ermor
are TO enter the competition, however, and
the Navy Department expects that some
of these may secure awards for the lighter
variety of plates. Congress practically en-
powered the Secretary to purchase armor
at any price that seemed reasonable and
II Is therefore confidently believed that all
the bids will be of nature that will per-
nit contracts 10 be made for the whole
amount now needed for ships soon to be
under construction as we'll as those build
ing.
No problem of naval development has
given the Government more perple1ity
than that of armor. For four years Con-
gress at each session has squabbled over
the price that should be Haid and mean
while battieships have so advanced that
their completion was delayed for want of
armor plate. The fight was ended how
ever. last spring, and the appeal of Secre-
tary Long that he be authorized to pay
fair and equitable price al last prevailed.
In addition to 81 600 tons of improved
face hardened armor that is TO be purchas-
ed $4,000 tons of face-hardened armor
treated by another process, and l. 800 tons
OF the best nickle steel armor not face
hardened, are also to be contracted for.
three battleships will be as follows
A partial main CT water-iine belt. feet
inches in width, having a maximum
thickness of IL inches at the upper edge.
tapering to 1.2 inches at the bottom for
distance of about 100 feet. then reducing
gradually to 4 inches at the bow: upper
and lower casemate armor, each I feet
inches in width and inches in thickness
protecting the vessels sides above the
main belt and connected at the end by di-
agonal casemate armor 8 inches thick: two
oarbettes for the turrets u and inches IL
thickness; two turrets with 12-inch post
plates and 11-inch side and rear plates;
coming tower, 10 inches, and signal tower
inches in thickness; in all about ?, $50
tons for each VESSEL
The general features OF the armor re-
CURED for the other five battleships will be
similar in character TO that described, the
quantity per. ship being somewhat greater
however, buI presenting no greater diff
culties of manufacture.
There are SIX armored cruisers. each ar
mored generally as follows: 4 main or
water line belt about 250 feet long fleet
inches wide, and 6 to Inches in thick
ness; taper belt about 250 feet In length,
feet inches wide and IL inches in
thickness; upper and lower casemate ar
NOR about 252 feet in length and inches
in thickness; transverse easement armor
inches in thickness 6-ineh gun protection,
. inches in thickness; coming tower 9
inches in thickness; signal tower, inches
thick; two S-inch gun turrets, 1-2 and 8
inches in thickness; two S-inch barbettes
for turrets, inches in thickness; armor
tubes and the necessary armor bolts and
nuts.
The armor for three protected cruisers
will consist OF comparatively thin armor
for gun protection. coming towers, COM
rlunication tubes etc
Deliveries OF the armor must begin as
soon as practicable after the contract is
awarded. and shall continue thereafter at
a rate of not less than three hundred tons
a month. the first deliveries to consist of
the armor of the first described battIeships
Bids will be received for furnishing the
whole of each class of aTmor in lots of
about {, ZOO. 5000, 10000 10, GEO. 90 600, Is
600, or 81, 600 tons. The successful bidder
must use every endeavor and incur all nee
essary expense 10 furnish the very best
armoT that can be produced al the time of
manufacture, and the tests set forth in
the specifications are TO be regarded mere
ly as limits OF quality which he Is bound
to excel, if practicable. and it shall be in
cumbent on him to use the best and most
approved processes as they appear from
time to time, and 10 make every effort to
improve the ballistic qualities OF armcr
plate