The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-11-23
,er ship will naturally follow.

ger ship Will naturally follow
The new Dreadnaught will carry 10
13.5-inch guns mounted in pairs. One
pair will be forward on the centre
line, the next pair will be abaft the
forward pair on the port or star
board side forward Of amidships, in
such a position as to be able to fire
ON either broadside. The next pair
will be on the opposite side aft Of
amidships, while the last two pairs
will be mounted aft on the centre
line. The fourth pair will be mount
ed so as to be able to fire over the
third and fifth pair The positions
in the present ships Of the fourth
and fifth pairs are on the same level
on the centre line. The new arrange
ments will allow for the whole, Of the
three pairs to be fired aft. The ar
rangements of the tunnels and struc-
lures am m\lships will have to be al
tered, and as far as appearance goes
the new vessel will not be hand
some, TO say the least.
The guns will be Of so calibres,
that is, their length will be 80 times
sl3.5 inches, with two or three feet
added to allow Of the accommodation
Of the four quarter charges Of cor
dite. The shell will weigh 1900
pounds and measure 5 feet inches
in length. The breeeh Of this giant
gun will be close upon five feet in
diameter. ILL.,. .-sr.....
Naturally the vessel which carries
these guns will have to be Of much
stronger construction in order to
withstand the enormous shock of dis
charge. Both as regards length and
beam there Will be increases. At
present it is not possible to give the
measurements Of the vessels, bat
from the above facts it will be seen
that the new Dreadnaught, which is
capable of firing from its 10 guns
a single broadside Of $4,000 pounds,
will require no more of crew, prac-
tically speaking, than ships of the
present designs. All the guns, which
are worked by hydraulic or hand
power, will be electrically controlled,
SO that when the guns Of ONE bar
bette cover the barbette or guns of
another pair the electricity will be
switched off and it will be impossible
to fire them. -. ...
1t. is not likely that either the
Hercules or; Colossus will carry these
guns. They will not be ready for
them; but it is more than possible
that their guns will be arranged as
forecasted for the new Dreadnaughts.
The Neptune may also have these
arrangements.
The new great guns will probably
be for the four Dreadnaughts, orders
for which, it is said, will be placed
in November next. There has been a
statement that all four will be given
to private builders, statement
which need not yet be accepted. Two
Of the most prominent builders may
secure orders, but it is doubtful It
any more will be given out.
AS to the size of the smaller guns
can be said at present. The,
Dreadnaughts and St. Vincents are
weak in this respect with their :4inch
guns. This weakness in the new YES
sells will probably be remedied.
There may be battery. Of -6-inch
guns on each broadside.
The secret Of having plenty OF
steaming power is being discovered,
and, further, the improvement IN
propellers has been great. There will,
Of course, be greater bulk, with its
increase Of skin friction,
but on the other hand fresh dlscov-
cries will have been made which may
make % knots more than a posslbll-
ity.