The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-23
STRENGTHENING THE NAVY.
Four New Monitors Soon to BE Added
to the Fighting Force.

Four New Monitors Soon to BE Adde,
to the Fighting Force.
-Four monitors of new type are sool
to be added to the navy. They are namet
respectively the Arkansas, Connecticut
Florida. and Wyoming. The naval FRO
gramme for 1S9S-'99 provided for tire,
first-class battieships, four coast defence
monitors. twelve torpedo boats, and six
teen torpedo boat destroyers. The moni'
tors Will present some of the most radica
advances in modern fighting machinery
Inc act OF Congress appropriatinS toi
the naval service for the fiscal year end
ed June 80, 1899, under increase Of the
Navy referring to the four harbor-de-
fence vessels Of the monitor type. limits
the cost Of these vessels to 100000 each.
The limit Of time of completion was TWEEN
ty-seven months, with penalties from $500
to $500 day for failure.
The Navy Department, in the construc-
tion OF this class Of YES
sells has sought to obtain
the greatest results at the least expendi-
ture of money, and has in view not only
the securing OF the mainland harbors of
the United States, but also Of its island
possessions in the Atlantic and Pacific
| oceans.
The design for the monitors was pre-
pared by Chief Constructor Hichborn. 1t
was decided that the best all-round ar
| rangement that could be built with the
available appropriation, was the arrange
ment with single balanced turret on the
centre line forward containing two high
powered 12-inch brcech- loading rifles, a
gun that has just been designed to be
used with smokeless powder; four 4-inch
rapid-fire breech loading rifles also to be
| used with smokeless powder, complete
the main battery. The secondary battery
will consist of three 6-pounder rapid-fire
and four 1-pounder automatic rifles.
The general characteristics Of these
vessels as shown in the elements Of de-
sign will be: Length on load water line,
252 feet; breadth, extreme. at water line,
SO feet; mean draft, at normal displace-
ment. IL feet inches; normal displace-
ment, about 1925 tons: total coal capaci-
ty, loose storage. 400 tons.
In the details of design will appear
these characteristics:
The hull Is to be Of steel, not sheathed,
with double bottom and close water
tight subdivisions.
There will be one military mast, fitted
with fighting and searchlight tops.
Seven boats are to be slowed clear OF
the blasts of the guns. Two. being the
life boats, are to be carried at davits, so
as to be quickly lowered.
The protection of the hull against in
jury to the water line region is to be af
forded by means Of a side armor belt,
the maximum thickness being II inches,
tapering to inches at the armor shelf.
the depth being s feet. The maximum
thickness is abreast the engine and boiler
spaces; from thence forward and aft it
ic -nd, NV OF tn m, mi INN nm
ness of . inches at the bow and stern.
The barbettes for the Pinch guns will
have armor about 10 inches thick.
The turret is of the Hichborn balance
type, with front plate inclined forty-two
degrees from the vertical. The side
plates of the turret armor are to be 8
inches thick.
The main or protected deck is to extend
throughout the length Of the vessel, to be
worked fat. The total thickness will be
1 1-2 inches.
A coming tower of seven and one-half
inches in thickness, having an armored
communication tube three inches in thick
ness, will be carried in suitable COM
manding position forward. the tube extend
ing to the armor deck, and affording pro-
lection to the voice tubes. bell wires. etc.
The vessel will be driven by twin screws.
The engines 1.-TWO in number) are to be of
the vertical. triple-expansion type, in one
water-tight compartment. The boilers
-four In number) are to be OF the water
tube type. constructed for working pres
sure of $50 pounds. and are to be placed in
one water tight compartment There will
be the usual auxiliary machinery and
workshop tools. Distilling apparatus and
evaporators will be fitted for supplying
fresh water.
1Yc ,,,tn To-,
addition to one for the captain, for six
officers; require complement Of crew of
125. for whom ample berthing space has
been provided. Storerooms are provided for
one months supply of clothing contin-
gent and small stores.
The electric generating plant will con-
sist of four units, each unit to have an
engine, dynamo, and compensation bed
plate, and each dynamo a rated output of
400 amperes Of 40 volts. The turret-turn-
ing gear ammunition hoists, elevating
gear. hammers. and ventilating apparatus
will be operated by electricity.
The estimated speed of the vessel is to
be twelve knots-amply sufficient for
harbor defence vessel.
AL wood used in the construction of
the vessels will be fireproofed.
The vessels will be fitted with cking
keels, which will also serve the purpos,
Of bilge keels.
1t Is pointed out that the United States
reyolutioniZed naval construction and
methods in 1861, and it has been reyo.u-
tionizing them ever since. 1t is true, it
Is said. that other nations have been
progressing more rapidly numeric ally. |
but scientifically, in bulls, machinery, |
and ornaments. the United States naval |
constructors have again set the pac, of |
the world. The experiences CT the war |
with Spain have suggested new depar- |
lures. The ships of the future additions |
to the American Navy will be q marked |
advance on former designs.