New-York tribune., 1900-08-07
r,v TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

,,rvT OF AMERICAN SEA POWER
rev TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE]
.,uo+on Aug ct is doubtful if in the
Nof the United States such enormous sums
hs''' .r etaked on a competition as in the bids
oranea st the Navy Department on
y y s.ss59v AZ noon for armOr plate protection
~ new hattleships and cruisers authorized
"a1se, two sessions Of Congress. 1t is esti-
q thai no less than S30000.oO0 is involved
MAZE aar+raot which. to be completed within
...,o limits must be divided among several
"s The fact that over seventy thousand tons
led steel hardened by the latest improved
o. -es &c. are to he purchased at one time indi-
n what an amazing extent American sea
"'1s has developed and how formidable a pro-
- If naval increase has been undertaken.
- or,,or includes the heavy plates for eight
,.bir,s and three armOred cruisers and thin
la.ss for three lighter cruisers. Two firms
~ ~ ritbert0 rnonopolized the armOr business.
s.ss doubtful # there are any others capable
,ri,ing the heaviest and highest grade Of
- rsouired for the great batteships and
f-sd cruisers Several smaller firms which
-.;o,ely have not been Classed as competent
= rsnufacture any class Of armor are TO enter
-. ooronatition however and the Navy Depart
IN, expects that some Of these may secure
ss for the lighter variety of plates Con-
r-acricar1v empowered the Secretary TO
r--ebase arnor at any price that seemed reason
~ and it is therefore confidently believed that
IN ,ba bids viii he Of a nature that will permit
,,+racts to be made for the whole amount now
,.asa5 for ships soon TO be under construction
ss well as those building
vo problerl Of naval development has given
,bs Government more perplexity than that Of
srmor For four years Congress at each session
roc soysbrlad over the price that should be
n.i5 and meanwhile battleships have so ad-
,.,ced that their completion was delayed for
vsnt Of armor plate. The fight was ended how
.rsr LAST spring. and the appeal of Secretary
Long that he be authorized TO pay a fair ana
e9uitable price at last prevailed
THE ARMOR TO BE PURCHASED.
n addition to $1,000 tons OF improved face
hardened armor that IS 10 be purchased. 36oOO
tons Of face hardened armor treated by another
rrocess and 300 tons Of the best nickel steel
armor not face hardened are also to be con-
t-acted for The general features Of the armor
for three battleships Will be as follows:
A martial main or waterline belt, feet
inches in width. having maximum thickness
Of II inches at the upper edge, tapering to u
inches at the bottom for distance Of about 100
bow: upper and lower casemate armor, each
feel 6 inches in width and inches in thick
ness. protecting the vessels sides above the
main belt and connected at the ends by diagonal
casemate armor 6 inches thick, Two barbettes
for the turrets u and inches in thickness
two turrets with Pinch post plates and ll-ineh
side and rear plates; coming tower, 10 inches
and signal tower. 6 inches in thickness; in all
about . 4S0 tons for each vessel.
The general features Of the armor required
for the other five battleships will be similar III
character to that described. the quantity Per
ship being somewhat greater. however, out Pre-
se1ng no greater difficulties of manufacture
There are six armored cruisers. each armored
generally as follows: A main or water line belt
about go feet long, feet inches wide. and
70 incnes in thickness; taper belt about -oV
feet in length feet inches wide and 3l2 inches
IN thickness; upper and lower casemate armor
about 232 feet in length and inches in thick
ness. transverse casemate aTnOr Inches IN
thickness. 6-inch gun protection, > inches IN
thickness; coming tower, inches IN thickness;
signal tower, inches thick: two S-inch gun tur-
lets. 6ie and inches in thickness; two S-lncn
berbettes for turrets, Is inches in thickness; ar
NOR tubes and the necessary arnor bolts ana
nuts
The armor for three protected cruisers viii
consist Of comparatively thin armor for gun
protection coming towers communication
tubes. etc.
REQUIREMENTS FOR BIDDERS.
Deliveries Of the arTnor muse begin as soon as
practicable after The contrac' is awarded. and
shall continue thereafter at a rate Of not less
than three hundred tons a month, the first de-
Averies TO consist OF the a.. or Of the first de-
scribed battleships
Bids viii be received for furnishing the whole
q each class Of armOr in lots Of about 900,
900 10000. i.HO 2OOtD. 25.eOO or 81 900 tons.
The successful bidder must use every endeaVor
hnd incur all necessary expense TO furnish the
very best armoT that be produced at the
TINE Of manufacture, and the tests set forth in
ne specifications are to be regarded merely as
limits Of quality which he is bound excel. If
Practicable, and II shall be Incumbent on him TO
Use the best and most approved processes as
lhey appear from time 10 time, and to make
aefy effort 10 improve the hallistic qualities Of
sTmOr plate