The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-29

much discussion was engendered as to the
proprieties OF the matter that President
Mckinley did not even set foot upon the
bridge. but contented himself with gaz
Ing upon the peakas of the Sierra Madre
from the American shore
The ship that Will carry President
Roosevelt and his party to Panama will
be in every respect worthy of such an
honor and also qualified for SO grave
responsibility. The fortunate ship will
be either the T.. S. S. Louisiana or the
U. s. s. Connecticut. The choice of
which of these twins will be employed
rests with the President. and In all proba-
bility a definite selection will not be
made until shortly before the date of
departure. However. there can be but
little choice between the Louisiana ana
Connecticut. Both first-class battle
ships, sister craft and exact duplicates In
every particular. One was built in pri-
vate shipyard at Newport News, Va,
whereas the other Is the proouct of the
United States Navy Yard at Brooklyn
n. X, and the reading public will re-
member the spirited race in the construc-
ton of the bulls, a contest that was won
by the private shipyard, but by so small
a margin that there was scant glory in
the victory.
largest, heaviest and most powerful fight
ing ships in the American navy. and with
the exception of the new British battle
ship Dreadnaught. are probably the most
formidable sea warriors afioat. Each ship
Is 450 feet In length, II feet in BREADTH
and has displacement of weight of Is 900
tons. Engines of 1850 horsepower give
each of the ships a speed of more than
20 miles per hour. and the coal bunkers
have a capacity of more than 1900 tons,
or sufficient to permit of the trip to
Panama and back at top speed without
any replenishment of the fuel supply.
OF course, it is next to impossible that
any harm should threaten the person of
the President of the United States on his
peaceful mission to Panama, but il the I'M
expected should happen, there is no ship
In Uncle Sans fleets better qualified to
protect those aboard than vessel of the
Louisiana Connecticut class. The hull is
sheathed I'm the heaviest armor-a pro-
tective coating of steel that In some
places is dozen inches in thlckness-and
the armament consists of four of the big
Finch guns and eight S-inch guns in tur-
rets. and a dozen of the finch breech-
loading rifles In broadside to say moth
ing of the 80 quick-fir guns, mostly B.
inch and 3-pounder weapons. that are
scattered over the big fighter in the vari-
localities where they can speak
most effectively.
In planning the interior arrangement OF
warships provision is made for visitors,
and President Roosevelt and his party
will occupy staterooms provided for Off
GERS of the ship, while the wearers of
gold braid will double up" in the matter
of sleeping accommodations for the time
being Inasmuch however. as this brand
of battleship carries Al officers. 1t can be
appreciated that the living quarters are
quite spacious Incidentally, it may be
mentioned that the ships crew numbers
$40 enlisted men, a contingent numerous
enough to keep everything in shipshape
without toiling over hours.
For all that. the Navy Department is
assigning for use presidential convey
ance one of the newest, finest and pre-
ships; 1t Is not proposed TO run any
chances In the matter, and. accordingly,
the ship that carries the President-and
Mrs. Roosevelt. In case the first lady
of the land carries out her present inten-
ton TO accompany her husband-will be
accompanied bv another up-to-date naval |
vessel. Thus in the event of any mishap |
to the vessel carrying the nations most |
distinguished citizen, the escort craft |
would be ready TO stand by and render |