The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-26

which carries President Roosevelt
from New Orleans to Hampton Roads
on his return from the south land is
the flagship of the armored cruiser
division of the North Atlantic fleet
which consists Of the Colorado. Penn
sylVanla and New York. These YES
sells are practically identical in every
way and are the largest Warships of
the American navy now in commits
sion They represent the highest type
and all that is modern in naval archi-
lecture This formidable division viii
take its place in the North Atlantic
fleet IN time to participate in the re-
ceptlon to the British squadron COM
manded by Prince Louis of Batten-
burg, about to visit United States wa
tiers. The West Virginia is built on
Deautlful lines and cuts the water
with the grace of an ocean greyhound
at a speed of p knots an hour. Her
machinery is capable of developing
25,OOO morse power TO drive her twin
screws.
The West Virginia has a normal dis
placement of 49, tons, while her
full load displacement is 1913 tons.
She is 500 feet long and has an ex-
! IRENE breadth of SO feet 6 y inches,
her draft being "A feet.
The largest battleship in commission
in the navy is but 3SS feet long, with
q normal displacement of IL, 500 tons.
The Brooklyn, the largest of the ar
mored cruisers in the United States
D
fought, is but 9,215 tons, while the
largest batteship in the navy in 1898
had a displacement of but 1925.
These comparative figures will give
some idea Of the size of the West Vir-
| ginia and her class.
Within the coming year two battle
ships of 200 tons displacement will
] be placed in commission, but even
/ these will not have the extreme length
/ of the West Virginia.
/ To man the West VIRGINIA takes a
/ complement of Al officers and 1871
/ blue jackets. Special care has been
given in the construction of the ar
| mored cruisers of this class to provide
for the comfort of the enlisted men.
The galIeys are Of the most modern
and approved type. and bakeries have
been installed which insure a fresh
supply of bread daily.
The West Virginia carries a main
/ battery of four S-inch guns and IA g.
inch guns of the rapid fire type, which
! is supplemented by strong array of
smaller guns for secondary battery
She also is provided with two torpedo
! tubes.
AS the West Virginia is fitted as a
! flagship she is admirably adapted to
the use of the president and the spa
1 cious quarters provided for the admiral
| Will insure the comfort of the president
on his homeward journey. These quar-
| ters are located in the extreme after
1 part of the vessel. The admirals cabin
/ is 10 IeeI Wlue ana 20 IeeL IN leHSIu,
! extending from one side of the ship to
1 the other. This is used as the dining
room and in it there is a dining table,
sidebroad and dining chairs, all of
mahogany beside a number of large
easy chairs. There is but little wood
work aside from the doors and furni-
ture. The exposed steel has been
treated to a coat of white enamel
which with curtains of green velour
hung on polished brass rods at all
doors and air. Jrts and rugs of Ameri-
can make on the floors produces q har-
monious effect Adjoining the admiral
cabin is the pantry, and the admiral s
office. The cabin Office may be en-
ployed as a lounging room. The hang
ings here are of green velour and
f tables covered with green billiard cloth
carrying out the general scheme
The West Virginia is commanded by
Captain c. H. Arnold. while Rear Ad-
miraI Brownson, commanding the di-
| vision of which the West Virginia IS
/ the flagship, accompanies it. On tbe
I presidential 7triDa~ teE-
~ The Colorado is commanded by. cap
tain Duncan Kennedy and the Penn
/ sylvania by Captain Thomas G. Nc
Lean The Maryland the fourth yes
sci of Rear Admiral Brownson's di-
| vision which was undergoing repairs
could not be made ready in time to &C
company the command on the southern
trip but Will join it in Hampton Roads