New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-25
RArrLEsHlP REoELREMENTs.

Much the most animated discussion ct the re-
cent meeting OF the British Institute Of Naval
Architects arose over the merits Of the two
battIeships which England purchased a few
weeks ago from Chill. These vessels, exact
duplicates OF each other, were built in British
yards. but were designed by an Englshman
who has not been associated with the Ad-
lniralty FOR over thirty years. At the tine Of
the transfer 10 their present owners the Liber-
tad and the Constitution-now known as the
Triumph and the Swlftsure-were fully de-
sclabed By a leading technical periodical, and
Immediately became the subjects OF favorable
and unfavorable comment, most OF which got
into the newspapers. One OF the least enthusi-
astic admirers OF the new acquisitions was the
Secretary OF the Admiralty, who seems to have
regarded them as no better than, IL as good as,
the battlesbips Of the Duncan class, built under
government auspices. When II was known,
therefore. that the designer OF the Triumph and
the Swiftsure, Sir Edward Reed, would read>a
paper concerning them 10 the institute, It was
foreseen that the proceedings might be little
lively. They were, though there was no sacri-
fee OF courtesy or dignity.
Sir Edward took the illusions which had been
made 10 the Duncan and her sister ships as
challenge, and be made a careful comparison
between them and his own creations. The
Duncan displaces "a, 600 TONS and the Triumph
less than 1900. The Duncan has engines Of
1900 horsepower and the Triumph only 1900.
Indeed the latter were originally designed 10
develop not more than 1850 horsepower.
Nevertheless. the Triumph showed speed OF
twenty knots on her trial run OF six hours.
while the Duncan can make only nineteen.
Finally, while the Duncan carries twelve 6-inch
rifles, the Triumph mounts fourteen 7lh-inch
guns aside from 1hek numerical superiority
OF this part OF che armament, the 7I5inch guns
throw q projectile weighing twice as much rs
that OF the 6-inch rifles. Sir Edward insists. &C
cordingIy, that be has q faster lighter and pre-
sumably a cheaper vessel, and at the same tine
q better fighter. In fact he went 50 FAR as 90
say that most governments err in designing
ships that are too heavy for the speed they
develop and tie work required OF them.
The chief spokesman for the Admiralty was
Sir william White, who has recently retired
from active service therein, but is thoroughly
conversant with the considerations which have
Influenced the design OF recent British battle
ships lie did not feel satisfied that there was
any material difference in speed between the
two ships. and he was disposed TO think that
the Duncan was the more useful fighter. He
held that IN computing the broadsde one should
:cclude all four OF the guns in turrets Those
OF the Duncan have a calibre OF twelve inches
and the bore OF the Triumph guns Is only ten
Hence SIR William believed there wac a slight
advantage tn favor OF the Admiralty ship. Other
speakers failed 10 agree with him in this mat
Ter. because they thought that vessel Ike the
Triumph would De firing both broadsides almost
simultaneously. and ibat Il was fair 20 include
only two out or the four t.lrret guns IN each
broadside. The only other points made against