The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-08-19

Ever since the United States came IN
TO possession OF the Philippines there
has been a growing demand on the part
OF the navy for small boats suited for
the waters OF this group of 200 or
more islands. Only crafts of light
draught, however, were adapted for use
in our outlying possessions, and these
could not be built here and sent across
the ocean under their own steam.
1t was perplexing matter and at one
time looked as if it were going to battle
the ingenuity of everybody connected
with It. But Uncle Sam has found a
way out of the difficulty, as he is sure
to do or every such occasion as soon as
he takes time to consider the subject,
deciding finally to build the Government
steamers for service in the Philippines
III sections. By this means the boats can
be constructed of metal in this country
and shipped readily on the deck of
transport or by other means to the point
of destination.
AS soon as the matter was decided up
on bids for such boats were asked for
and the builders were allowed to work
out their own designs. The offer of a
shipbuilding firm at Morris Heights, N.
J., was finally accepted and already a
boat has been constructed and is now on
its way for service.
This particular vessel is composed of
five sections and is 80 feet long. Is feet
beam and draws three feet six inches,
the light draught being necessary for
men and so forth in shoal
waters. The vessel is built entirely OF
steel, the plating being one quarter of
an inch thick. Each section has steel
deck and is watertight /
The derrick and anchor are carried in
the bow Section of the boat, with chain |
and storage lockers inside. The crews |
quarters, which will accommodate 20
men if required. are contained in the |
second section, which also serves as a |
hold for cargo.
The boiler, coal bunkers and part of
the water supply are contained in the
third section, the coal capacity being Is |
tons. The portable pilot house is on
top of the third section. This house,
however, is not a necessity as the YES
sci can be operated with or without it.
The boat is twin screw, and the two
the motive powers con-
aimed in the fourth section, as we'll as
he shafts and propellers. The engines
ire compound and capable of driving the
~ *
The oval counter, or stern, which may
ection As this section comes above the
water line the omission of it gives the
ressel a square-stern effect.
In assembling the craft the boilers
ection, having the greatest weight. and
the water line, is first float
d. The other sections, working either
ore or aft, follow in order. d
The sections are all fitted with sea
-alves, the sea water is admitted into
heir bottoms until they reach the com-
non water line. Two sections coming
ogether have their ends fitted with
ones about II inches in diameter, one
ct pointing outward, the opposite point
lg inward.
A windlass with a steel cable working
n differential system is fitted on the
eek of each section. The cable con-
ectS the cones of one section with the
Their. and the windlass when operated
rings the four cones together, engaging
ach other When the sections have all
cen connected the water ballast is
umped out and they are reinforced with
bolts. As soon as the steam
between the engine and boiler
tations has been made the vessel IS
eady for use.
The operations of taking this Govern
tent steamer apart for reloading on a
-ansport is in no wise difficult. 1t sim
ly involves the breaking of the steam t
ipe connection, releasing the bulkhead /,