The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-16
THREE GREATEST WARSHIPS.
TIE BRITISH, THE JAP AND THE
PROPOSED AMERICAN.

Comparison OF the Dreadnoukht AMI IN.
eatsuma-Turbinc Engines q Factor
Tine Yankee Planned 20 he Mora
Powerful Than Either OF the Others
What would happen IL in the unlikely
event Of q war between Japan and England
tho giant British bulldog D~readnought and
tho heavier Japanese battleship Satsuma
should meet In o duel on the sea: yAx
speculation In calculated TO stir the imagina-
ton Of naval folk The world over, and OF.
perts will answer IL according to their con-
ception OF the respective battery power OF
the ships, their constructive strength OF
resistance and the ability of the men behind
the guns.
Il has been demonstrated that the Jap-
anese can shoot and that they are as cour.
ageous as the Caucasian. 1t Is known also
that the English are good at hitting floating
targets; In fact, that they are second only
TO the bluejackets Of Uncle Sam in sea
practice with big guns.
The comparative ability Of the ships Is
q problem the solution Of which Is rendered
dificult by the mystery with which the
japanese have surrounded the Satsums.
She Ia Of 1920 tons displacement, thus
exceeding the Dreadnought by 1900 tons
She has what the English themselves now
seem to regard az the disadvantage Of
re~ciprooating engines.
The Dreadnought is propelled by tur-
bines that give her greater steadiness
when going at high speed. The more rigid
the gun platform the more accurate the
gun fire will be.
Both the Safsuma and the D~readnought
-x-o A.slS L. raaarI ason Thz -.z--
ship has the distinction OF employing only
Japanese in her design and construction.
She represents the highest genius OF the
japanese adopts who went through the war
with Russia as officers of the conquering
s~quadrons. 1t may be that they found
out q few things hat escaped the observers
OF other nations who had less intimate
knowledge OF the sea fights, and that the
Satsuma has been built and equipped In
accordance with these discoveries.
The D~readnought has the advantage in
speed by nearly two knots. She is prac-
tically in the cruiser class in this respect.
and IL she were getting the worst Of it she
might away. The Satsuma would have
to fight to the end or surrender.
The somewhat indefinite reports about the
Satsuma published just after her launching
say hat her main battery consists OF four
IL inch guns in turrets forward and aft on
the centre line. Inc twelve 10 inch guns In
pairs in turrets on the broadside. She can
concentrate the power of two ~ incl guns
and four 10 inch uns ahead or astern. and
deliver a broadside of four ~ inch and six
10 inch guns. She also has a battery o.
twelve "a inch rapid firers to turn against
torpedo boats and destroyers.
The Dreadnought has a main battery ~
ten IL inch guns capable of piercing - inches
Of armor at 5000 yards. She can concen-
trate on either broadside eight OF these
mighty rifles and can fire six either dead
ahead or astern.
The British declare that the lessons Of ths
japanese sea battles have demonstrated
the superiority OF the IL inch gun. Tho
Japanese themselves. who were closer 10 tho
conflict than anybody else. apparently be-
lieve also in the efficacy of the 10 inch gun.
Otherwise they would have placed more
rifles Of the greater calibre aboard the
powerful Satsuma.
1t may be inferred, although there are
no accurate data at hand just yet 10 bear
il out, that the Satsuma and the Dread.
nought are much alike in having little top
hamper and in having their guns so placed
the blast OF one will not interfere with
the work of the crew shooting another.
The Dreadnought has three separate con-
ming towers from which the ship may be
Our own uncompleted big battle
ships, the South Carolina and the MichiganI
have two each.
The Satsuma and Dreadnought are alike
In having great beam chat of the British
being 80 feet and depth, which give
them stability. Stays and shrouds have
been abolished on both ships and the tubu-
lar masts are self-supporting.
Whatever the American naval expert
think abou the chances in battle Of
Satsuma and the D~readnought, he re-
Gently has had reason to congratulate him.
self on the prospective possession OF a
wardog than that OF either tho
Mikado OF John Bull. Uncle Sam has de-
to go them one better by construct
ing a floating, or racing, battery OF 2O,5Go
tons displacement.
The plans submitted arc receiving tho
OF a special naval board ap-
pointed by Secretary Bonaparte. They
call for an armament OF welve II inch
guns mounted in six turrets, all on the
line and so arranged that all may
be fred on either b~roadside. The middle
turrets OF the group are to be IS feet above
The water line.
The design provides also for sixteen
) inch rapid frers for defence against tor
pedo attack. AL the virtues of the Satsuma
the Dreadnought, it is said, will he
Utilized In the proposed battleship, which
will not be built in a hurry.
Secretary B~onaparte's board has sI
other plans than that of the giant battls
ship TO ponder upon. 1t is said that all Of
hem are for ships more powerful than the