The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-22
PLANS FOR NEW WIRSHIPS.
Features of the New Battleslips and
Armored Cruisers Authorized Last Year.

WASHINGTON. March II A the meeting OF
the Board OF Construction to-day 1t Was de-
ciied 10 proceed without further delay with
the preparation OF plans Tor three frst-class
battleships and three large armored cruisers
This action was taken on the suppositIon
tina; the vexod armor question would be set.
tied 10 the satisfaction Of the Navy depart
ment during the present session of Congress.
the House Naval Committee having reported
in favor OF paying the price demanded for the
best armor. This programme Of construction
was authorized by Congress last year. but the
designs for the ships have been held In aoey-
ance. owing to the dispute over armor and the
uncertainty whether krupp high-grade plates
or the present Harveyized type would be pro.
vided for. Tentative plans have been nea rly
completed for the battleships and rapid prog.
r-ss has been made toward finishing those
for the cruisers. sufficient data are already
available to enable the Department to issue IA
circular letter to ship builders within tho next
month outlining the features OF the ships.
This letter will be sent to the builders who. in
the opinion OF the Department. may enter the
compe ttion for constructing the ships. TO
afford them Opportunity to prepare separate
designs, based, however. on the general re-
q%uirements laid down IN the circular.
II was ne general ullNltT sthIl'li'lk ulllplE lilr
members otthe Construction Board, after to-
days session. that there would be no important
changes made in the designs for the battle
ships. as agreed to some weeks, ago. except on
tho question u tu~rretS. which may be sub
lected to alteration II the coming sea trial OF
the hearsargo proves the superiority OF the
superimposed system over the present type.
II was stated this evening by a member OF
the board that the battleshipS Will be ~ about
1880 tons displacement. with a speed Of not
less than IL knots. and with twin screws and
triple expansion engincs The battery, which
has been the subject OF a long controversy.
has been settled. The main battery will be
four ,welves. two In each turret, fore and
after: tour eights and fourteen skies, the last
named ~ the most improved rapld-fre type.
There was some d ,scussion regarding the I'D
Visibility OF doing away with all S-lnch
guns and substituting skies. bur. as now
determined. there Will be four eights in two
turrets, to be located Just abaft the fore tnrret
and far enough removed to escape the blasts OF
the twelNes. The question OF placing these
S-inCh turrets IN echrlOn, as those OF the
Maine and Texas are arranged. caused some
discussion, but II was shown to the board
satisfaction that the present plan was more
feasible and certainly admitted OF greater arc
OF fire from forward 20 aba,t the beam. IL IL
estimated that this are will not be less than
90 degrees from forward To aft.
The general outline OF the armored cruisers
provides Tor vessels OF II, tons. about 22
knots speed and with a battery comprising
four S-inch guns in two turrets, and a largo
number If sizes in bgOadsidc fire. Further
details Of these vessels will DO worked out be-
fore the circular II issued.