The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-02-15
IT IS LORD OF THE SEA
DREADNOUGHT, GREATEST OF
WARSHIPS, is LAUNCHED.
Bears the Heaviest Armor Ever Placed
On Vessel, Is impervTous to Tor
pedoes and Throws Projectile
twenty-five Miles.

The monster battleship Dread
nought, which when finished will have
cost seven and one-half million dollars,
was launched by King Edward.
The ceremony was the most simple
possible, the king having vetoed all
decorations and pageanrry on account
of the death of his father-in-law, King
Christian. There was a moment OF
suspense after the king touched the
electrict button, removing the last
block, as the huge ship hesitated and
appeared reluctant to take the water.
But, ultimately, she grided down the
ways in safety.
Among the occupants Of the royal
stand were the American naval at
tache, Lieutenant Commander John H.
Gibbons, and the other attaches, the
admiralty officials and few privi-
legged persons.
Most Formidable Boat
The launching of the Dreadnought,
the largest and most powerful bate
ship of the worlds navies, marks the
first stage in what the British admir-
atty claim as the greatest achieve
ment in naval construction. On Octo-
Der 2, 1905, only a few days over four
months ago, work was commenced at
Portsmouth on the vessel, the first OF
what is to be known as the Dread
nought class. The promise was made
then that she would be launched
| within six months. The admiralty has
more than made good their boast and
Britishers have another cause for
pride in their navy.
| Another twelve months, all going
| WE'LL the Dreadnought will be commits
stoned and join the Atlantic feet, thus
| beating all previous records in battle
ships building by six months.
Reasons for speed
There are two reasons why work
| is being rushed on the Dreadnought.
One is the great saving in cost, but
| the chief reason is that the ship is to
some extent an experiment and 1t is
| desired to give her good trial be-
fore commencing construction on any
more of her class.
I Great Britain, it will be remembered
| was the only power having attaches
or observers on Japanese ships during
the Russo-Japanese war, while expert
British constructors were given every
opportunity of learning wherein the
ships of Japan proved weak or strong
as the case might be.
These men were BUSY from start
to finish of the war and Immediately
after the battle of the Sea of Japan
came home with their data, which
was submitted, with suggestions, to a
special committee on which sat not
only the most experienced naval ex-
perts but the director or naval con
struction, Lord Kelvin, and number
of the leading private ship builders.
| Ship Is Invfncibie
| The Dreadnought is the outcome OF
their deliberations, an embodiment OF
| the lessons Of the late war in the far
east. ship apparently fnvincible, ca
pable at one discharge OF her guns OF
throwing with unparalleled force
twice as much metal as any foreign
man-of-war now afioat, while her
armor will render her immune from
attacks by any enemy's guns, and
some claim, even against torpedoes
fired at the usual battle range. The
details of the Dreadnought's construc-
ton remain a secret, 80 well has the
admiralty guarded the plans.
Efforts Of naval attaches TO gather
J information for their governments