New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-18
RHODE ISLAND LAUNCHED.
BattIeskip Stuck in Mud-Qu'et
affair at Quincy.

Quincy Mass May 17-The battleship Hnoue
Island after delay OF more than TWO "eeN
caused by labor troubles. was Launched to-u@S e.
the Fore River Ship and Engine Company Wo.N
here ARRANGEMENTS were made early in the spring
for a launching on April 80, but strike OF 'i'e
mechanics at the works because OF trouo'7 -
the hours of labor made a postDonement hecs9'1'S
The company endeavoring to make the delay as
brief as possible quietly planned TO bring OH tue
affair this week if possible. but no announcement
was made in advance Of the day on whlch II was
TO take place. -,
II had been expected that a party o; Rhode Island
officials would be present at the Launching. put
Rear Admiral Bowles president of the Fore River
company said to-day that they would not colhe'
He said that owing to the strike at the HaEuS Inc
launching had become purely BUSINESS atidii'
Mrs F. c. Dumaine. of Concord Mass, WE OF one
OF the directors Of the Fore River company was
chosen to name the battleshiD. \ crew OF Worh-
men was brought from Groton. Conn, carry TO-DAY
to assist in the launching on account OF the lacA
OF skilled worknen at the yard due TO the strIhe-
No Interference was offered by of the strikers
After the vessel had LETT the ways the launching
crew experienced unexpected disaster Inc Dig
hull had attained such Roadway that she could
not be stopped in deep water Her ancncr falled
TO hold and her stern was forced into mudoank.
No attempt made to feat the battesnlp IN
the course Of the day owing TO the ten-foot drop
in the tide. but about hour before high water
tonight six tugs took hold and succeeded in pulling
the big vessel of the fiat into the BASIN The
Rhode Island rested even keel all day on the
fats, with her stern almost out OF water, but the
bed was an easy one. that as soon as the full
force of the food tide struck her she readily
yielded to the steady pull of the tugs No at
tempt was made to dock her tonight, nor was
there an examination Of her hull. but IL is be-
leved that she sustained injury
Congress. in March. 1899 appropriated money for
three sea-going coastlne battleshps carrying the
heaviest arnor and most powerful armament for
vessels OF their class, and provided for two more
by the act of June l. 1900. The general dimensions
and chief characteristics OF these vessels of which
the Rhode Island IS one. are:
Length on load waterne 435 feet
Breadth extreme at load Tasgline IS feet pa inches
Mean daught at trial displacement about %
Greatest draught. full load. about % feet
These battleships will have speed of at least
nineteen knots. which compares most favoraoly
with any battleships under construction abroad,
well with any in the projected stage The Rhode
Island will be propelled by twin screws driven by
two four-cyIinder triple expansion engines OF about
1900 indicated horsepower having a stroke OF
four feet, running under conditions OF maximum
speed at about 12O revolutions minute. The steam
necessary to this power will be supplied at pres
Of 90 pounds a square inch by twenty-four
Niclausse watertube boilers placed four IN each Of
six independent watertight compartments
The Rhode Island will carry four Pinch guns
forty calbres IN length. mounted by pairs in ball
arced turrets. one turret being forward Of the
superstructure. and 10 other aft. and each hav-
s-nch guns. forty-ve calibres IN length. which will
be carried this vessel. four will be mounted by
pairs in turrets, superposed the 12-inch tur-
rets above mentioned. and four IN two broadsids
turrets slightly forward OF amidshtps. the amid
ship turrets having a total OF train OF $50 de-
grees In the Rhode Island there will be a broad
side battery the gun deck OF twelve s-inch rapid
FIRE guns. fifty calibres in length. mounted SIX
each side. each with a total OF train of N
degrees. The secondary battery viii consist OF
twelve 3-inch fifty calibre rapid fire guns. twelve
3-poundsr seni-automatic. eight 1-pounder heavy
automatic. two s0-calibrs machine guns and six
3o-calIbre Colt automatic guns. all mounted in
commanding positions and having large arcs Of
fire The Rhode Island VIII also be fitted with
submerged torpedo tubes. The magazines will
specially fitted to enable her to carry. with abso-
lutte safety. IN all climates. the new snokeess
powder
1t Is proposed Ike all the vessels OF this class
hagships and to do this IL is necessary TO make
provision for the accommodation Of flag officer.
one commanding officer. chief OF staff nineteen
wardroom officers. ten tunt9r officers. eight
making q grand total OF ST. Both officers and
viii have Mushrooms. bathrooms aud other
similar convenienCes such will place the COM
fort and healthfulneSs OF these vessels very high
in the scale. The applications OF electricity on
board very much wider than in the case OF any
other battleships in existence with the possible
ceptiou Of the kearsarge and Kentucky.
Take all in all. the designs OF the Rhode Island
class er1bOdy the latest developments in naval
chtecture. and these vessels VIII prove most for
navy