New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
THE DREADNOUGHT
Great Fighting Machine Sum-
mary Of Lessons of Recent Var.

mary OF Lessons of Recent Var.
The launch OF the Dreadnought, the largest and
most powerful battleship of the worlds navtes
marks the first stage In what the British Admir-
atty is the greatest achievement In naval con-
structon. On October Q. 1905. only few days over
four months ago, work begun at Portsmouth
on the vessel the first OF what Is to be known as
the Dreadnought class. The promise was made
then that she would be launched within six months
The Admiralty has than made good the
boast and the British have another cause for
pride In their navy. In another twelve months,
all going we'll, the Dreadnought will be commits
stoned and join the Atlantic feet. thus beating all
previous records in battleship building by six
months
There two reasons why work is being rushed
on the Dreadnought. One ia the great saving IN
cost. but the chief is that the ship Is TO
some extent experiment and It is desired to give
her careful trial before beginning construction
any Of her class Great Britain, IL will
be remembered, was the only power having at
taches or observers on japanese ships In the
Russo-Japanese War; while expert British con-
sructors had every opportunity OF learning wherein
the ships OF Japan proved weak strong. These
busy from start TO finish of the war.
and Immediately after the battle OF the Sea Of
Japan came home with their data, which were
submitted with suggestions to a special committee
on which sat not only the most experienced naval
experts. but the director of naval construction.
Lord Kelvin and number OF the leading private
shipbuiders.
The Dreadnought ia the outcome of their de-
Iiberations embodiment OF the lessons OF the
recent war In the Far East, a ship apparently
invincible. capable at discharge of her guns
of throwing twice as much metal as any foreign
warship now afoat, while her armor is expected
to render her safe from attacks OF any enemy 8
guns. and some say even from topedoes, fired
the usual battle range. The details OF the
Dreadnouglts construction remain a secret so we'll
trait arfled he mis- Of
naval attaches to gather information for their
governments have been fruitless. The answer to
all inquiries is the candid that Great Britain
intends to maintain secrecy in regard to what
her experts learned a result of Japans ex-
periences for year. BY rushing to compile
ton the Dreadnought England will gain a year.
IL not mora. In naval construction over all other
powers except her ally. Usually when ships are
building board is placed at the head OF the ship
giving her name. displacement. principal dimen-
sions, horsepower and speed. In the case OF the
Dreadnought not item in the design is re-
vealed the board containing the simple sentence.
His Majesty's ship Dreaduought. commenced
October 2, 1905
When ready for the ship will displace Is 800
tons but this Is the least remarkable thing about
her, for, besides the ideas introduced result
of the Far Eastern war, Britain is placing on her
fighting machine the heaviest armament ever
carried by ship. Former British battleships have
carried four 12-inch guns throwing &O-pound
Shells The DredQnOuSnt VIII nave ten Oh IuoSc
weapons Of a new type with q muzzle energy or
40 $685. as compared with the S3622 the guns car
ried in as batteships the Majestic class.
The Dreadnought will be able to discharge every
minute ten projectiles Weighing $500 pounds with
sufficient velocity TO send them twenty-five miles
or to penetrate about sixteen inches Of the hard
est arnor at a range OF about two miles. Unlike
all British and foreign batteships built In the last
thirty years. the new addition to the fleet will
carry no weapon smaller than the great Pinch
piece except eighteen 3-inch quick frers for re-
pelIing attacks by torpedo craft. She will not
mount 92-nch, 7.5-inch 6-inch guns: she will
be the biggest warship afioat and she will have
only the biggest and most powerful guns.
The secrets which VIII be incorporated in the
huge hull are still hidden, but it is known that
they tend to economy as well as efficiency. The
Dreadnought will cost 10 per cent ton less
than recent battleships of British build, although
she will represent the last word IN all details of
her construction. She will be the first batteship
in the world TO be driven by turbines. These en-
gines will supply the power for four propellers,
two more than any previously built British battle
ship, which should make her the fastest ship
of her class afoat. Another advantage OF the
turbines, shown by the performances of the
Carmania. is that the gunners will have steadie-
deck from which TO handle the guns.
The guns armor. machinery, boilers. etc, are
ready to be placed in the Dreadnought, so there
should be no difficulty In having her ready for sea
in twelve months. when she will join the Atlantic
fleet stationed at Gibraltar. thus being placed
midway between the Channel and Mediterranean
fleets Writing of this fleet as it will be when
the Dreadnought joins, a naval expert said:
Nothing as devastating as this concentrated
destruction has ever been conceived In the brain
of man 1t is impossible TO picture the result OF
one minutes well directed fire at enemy 5
ships and when minute is followed by others
fhe effect would be too terrible for words, pre-
Stunning the gunners get the range and fire as at
tarpet Dractce To this length has the contest for
sea pOwer gone and this is not the end. for the
time is not far distant when the British ensign
will hy over fleets and squadrous of Dreadnoughts,
vessels costing million and half pounds sterling
or more each with ten twelve Pinch guns,
I,bfch will engage antagonist when three four
miles distant. and will pour in a succession OF
shells each weighing $50 pounds and carrying
wholesale destruction in its wake.