The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-27
THE WEST VIRGINIA
MAGNIFICENT wARsHIP USED BY
 PRESIDENT.
Represents the Highest Type of All That fs Modern in Naval Archi- tecture-FIeures Show Its
 Immensity.

Washington, Oct. 26.-The armored cruiser West Virginia, the vessel which carries President Roosevelt to Hamp- ton Roads on his return from the Southland, Is the flagship of the ar mored cruiser division of the North Atlantic fleet. which consists of the Colorado, Pennsylvania and Maryland in addition to the West Virginia. These vessels are practically identical in every way and are the largest war ships of the ASierican navy now in commission. They represent the high est type and all that Is modern in na- val architecture. This formidable di- vision will take its place for the first time in the North Atlantic fleet in time to participate in the reception to the British squadron, commanded by Prince Louis of Battenberg, about to visit United States waters. The West Vir- ginia is built on beautiful lines and cuts the water with the grace of an ocean greyhound at a speed of 22 knots an hour. Her machinery Is capable of developing 23,000 horse power to drive her twin screws
 The West Virginia has a normal dis placement of 1s.6so tons while her full load displacement is l5,138 tons. She Is 502 feet long, and has an extreme breadth of o feet 1-2 inches, her draft being A feet. The largest bat tleship in commission in the American navy Is but 38S feet long with a nor mai displacement of 12.500 tons. The Brooklyn, the largest armored cruiser In the United States Navy when the war with Spain was fought, is but 9.216 tons. while the largest battleship in the navy of 1898 had a displacement of but 11,275. These comparative fig ures will give some idea of the size of the West Virginia and her class With the incoming year two battleships of i6,000 tons displacement will be placed Tn commission, but even these will not Virginia.
 To man the West Virginia requires complement of forty-one officers and Is7 bluetackets. Special care has been given in the construction of the ar- mored cruisers of this class to provide Tor the comfort of the enlisted men. The galleys are of the most modern and approved type and bakeries have been installed which insure fresh SUD- ply of bread daily.
 The West Virginia carries a main battery of four 8-inch and fourteen 6-inch guns of the rapid fire type, which IS supplemented by a strong array of small guns for secondary battery. She Is also provided with two torpedo tubes.
 As the West Virginia is fitted as a nagship she is admirably adapted to the use Of the President. and the spa clous quarters provided for the Admiral will Insure the comfort of the Prest- dent on his homeward journey. These quarters are los :ated in the extreme af- ter part of the vessel. The Admirars cabin Is fifteen feet wide and twenty six feet in length, extending from one side of the ship to the other This is used as the dining room. and in 1t there IS dining table, sideboard and dining chairs. all of mahogany, beside a num- per Of large easy chairs.
 There Is but little woodwork aside from the doors and furniture. The ex posed steel has been treated to a coat or white enamel. which with curtains Of green velour hung on polished brass rods at all doors and air ports, and rugs of American make on the floors produces harmonious effect. AdjoIn- ing the admirafs cabin Is the pantry and the admriafs office. The cabin aft may be employed as lounging room. The hangings here are of green velour cloth, carry out the general color scheme.
 The West Virginia is commanded by Captain c. H. Arnold. while Rear Ad- miral Brownson, commanding the division of which the West Virginia is the flagship. accompanies 1t on the Presidential trip. The Colorado is commanded by Captain Duncan Ken nery and the Pennsylvania by Captain Thomas c. Mclean. The Maryland. the fourth vessel of Rear Admiral Brownson's division which was under going repairs could not be made ready to accompany the command on the southern trip, but will join 1t in Hamp- ton Roads.