The evening times., 1900-01-16
THREE MIGHTY WARSHIPS
Naval Experts Nearly Agreed Upon
Preliminary Plans.
The Vessels to Have a Displacement
of I2.JOO Tons-The Batteries to He
Six-Incb Guns-The Question of
Turrets Discussed-New Cruisers.

Within the next month tentative plans
will be agreed upon by experts Of the
| Navy Department for the construction OF
| three immense battIeships which, with
| three armored cruisers and a number Of
smaller ships. comprised last session S
programme Of increase
member Of the board which has this
work under consideration expressed the
| opinion today that the three leading
shipyards which have heretofore had the
exclusive privilege Of constructing the
larger Warships will be informed Of the
general design and type Of the ships, but
after this three or four months additional
will be required to work out every detail
of the big vessels before the department
will be prepared to ask for bids.
1t was believed last week that the yes
sells would unquestionably be fitted with
seems t0 have been broUgh; about favor
able to the prevailing style of gun install
lation on the battieships. and it is yet IN
certain which method will be employed
About the battery there continues some
doubt. the main points involved being ever
s and 6-inch guns there being no question
that the largest viii be 12-iuch and no
heavier.
Several ordnance men advocated 4 main
battery, aside from the twelves. all OF skies,
on the ground that their rapidity of fire
is so much greater than eights as 20 make
them more effective. even though the
eights have greater penetrating power.
Those who favor the eights hold 10 the
opinion that 6-inch rifles are not armor-
piercing. while eights are. and for this
reason battIeshps should not depend sole
ly on the Pinch guns 10 engage the heay-
lily protected ships Of their class.
In the circular which will be issued the
general dimensions. as nearly as can be
estimated will be an approximate dispIace-
ment of about II 800 tons. The beam
figures and required horse power TO give
speed of is knots will also be set forth.
There is some effort yet making TO apply
triple screws to these vessels. but the idea
meets with such little favor that IL is quite
certain not to be further considered.
Unless the board of bureau chiefs again
switches around, the vessels will have four
12-inch guns mounted in pairs fore and
aft turrets, eight eights and possibly
twelve skies. There are hundreds OF de-
tails. however. which must be decided In
the actual drawing OF plans, but the build
ers will be given enough information re-
garding the general outlines to enable them
to submit independent designs il they de-
sire or improved plans on those of the
department.
With the bsttleships disposed of by the
designers. the three armored cruisers viii
be taken up. These ships will be far
larger. OF greater speed and great steam
ing radius, and unlike any vessels in the
navy. except perhaps the Brooklyn but
so much more powerful that they can
scarcely be placed in her class. A mem
ber of the board predicts that these ves-
sells will not be contracted for until after
Congress adjourns this summer, owing to
the controversies which will be precipitated
In the construction board over the princi-
pal features.
Congress is literally disposed. apparent
ly. toward the navy and programme
probably as large. or perhaps greater. than
last session is expected by the naval off,
cials this year. The class of vessels be-
lieved by them most urgently required now
for the country are battleships and armored
cruisers. and more especially the latter,
which is a type that the leading powers
now seem to be devoting special attention
to perfecting None of these vessels how
ever. authorized last session. or that may
be provided this year, can be completed or
more than half built until Congress dis
poses of the armor question and the weight
and kind of plate to be purchased are
definitely known TO the department.