Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-11


is ready to go in commission
Atterthe launching the distinguished
VISITORS were escorted through the yard
and the crowd was also given an OPP
portunity to see the immence plant. the
largest in the country in full operation.
From the shipyard. the christening
party was driven TO Hotel Warwick.
THE LUNCHEON.
At the Casino. covers were laid for
eighty guests. At 1 o'clock those hold
ing invitations commenced to arrive
and at 1:S0 o'clock the guests sat down
to the tables.
The first toast was 1.-The President"
and was responded to by Hon II. c..
Loudenslager NJ. c.. of New Jersey
General Superintendent w. A. Post
OF The Newport News Shipbuilding and
Dry Dock Company followed with re-
marks on the loss sustained in the
death of the late Coils p. Huntington,
owner and founder of the shipyard
paying high tribute to the magnate
- TOAST TO the memory of Mr.. Hunting
ton was then drunk in silence
Judge Advocate General S. C. Lem
ley. OF the navy, responded to the toast
The Navy"
Governor ]. Hoge Tyler responded to
the toast. Virginia" and following
IlIn Governor Jones responded to the
toast. Arkansas"
The toast. Commerce." was respon-
ded to by General Manager Warner. of
the missouri Pacific Railway.
Mr., Ar. Robert c. Bickfor,l responded to
Inc Arkansas Fair Sponsor"
THE NEW MONITOR.
me monitor Arkansas Is the first of
type developed by the American
navy, for not since the tiavs of tbo ci,,ii
wa; has single turretted monitor been
constructed. The Arkansas will have
three sisters. the Florida, the Wyomine.
and the third, which was to have bset,
the connecticut unnamed. These are
known as harbor defense monitors, and
Will have all the latest improvements
known to naval science. They will be
important additions to the navy. and
being small, with large accommoda-
IONS Tor crews for vessels of their
size, Will be valuable for the use and
instruction of the naval militia
The Arkansas is to cost not more
than $4,000 600 complete. The designs;
were prepared by Chief Constructor
Hichborn and provide for n single bnl
anced turret, OF the Hichborn type. on
the centre line forward, With an inclin
ed top, and made of steel nine inches
thick. This turret will contain two OF
the new high power 12-inch breech-
loading rifles. BESIDES this armament
| the Arkansas Will carry four 4-inch
rapid fire guns. three 3-pounders and
four 1-pounders
special effort was made to secure
light draft for this type OF vessel. so
the Arkansas when complete will draw
only IL feet inches OF water on Il dis
placement of 1855 tons. enabling her to
slip into any harbor open to sea-going
shipping, Eleven inches of steel armor
protect the sides of the monitor above
the water-line and there will be protec-
tive decks for the full length OF the
vessel one and one-haif inches thick
Twin screw engines will drive the moni-
tor at maximum speed of eleven and
q half knots. amply sufficient for n har-
hor defense vessel, and electricity will
be employed for the turret turning
gear, ammunition hoist. ventiIating an
paratus. and of the secondary machin-
cry. All the wood in the vessel is fire
proof.
Unlike the old tyre OF monitors the
Arkansas will have stateroomS above
deck for the officers and crew. but the
superstructure has been so designed
that it will not affect the ship should
it be destroyed in action thus retain
ing the virtue of the monitor principle.