Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-05-19
new BATTLESHIP
FLORIDA LAUNCHED
Fourth Of the Dreadnaugnt Glass to
Be Built.
READY FOR SERVICE JULY -
Distinguished Gathering saw Miss
Fleming chrIsten the Floating
EortTess-The Armament That
VIII Be Carried.

1
New York, May 12.-1n the presence
OF Secretary Of the Navy Meyer, Gov
ernor Hughes and distinguished
gathering Of army and navy officials,
Miss Elizabeth L. Fleming, daughter
| Of the late ex-Gov. Francis P. Fleming
Of Florida, broke a bottle OF cham
payne against the bow Of the new
United States battleship Florida today,
and the fourth dreadnaught OF the
United States navy glided gracefully
down the ways into the East river
President Taft had intended to be pres
emit but public business prevented.
The launching took place at the New
York navy yard, where the vessel has
been in course Of construction since
March 9, 1909, and owing to the Size
Of the vessel and the presence OF 80
many distinguished guests 1t was the
most notable affair Of this kind tnat
has been held in recent years. After
the exercises Secretary Meyer was the
guest Of honor at dinner given to
the mechanics and laborers employed
in the shipyard.
Built by the Government.
Another important fact in the
launching Of the Florida is that the
vessel is being built in the government
shipyard and her total cost will not
exceed 100000 which is about 49,
OOO, 900 less than the price that would
have been paid TO a private company.
The vessel is now 81 per cent COM
pleted and the government hopes TO
have her ready by July "a Of this year,
the same day that her sister ship, the
Utah. which was recently launched at
Newport News, is under contract to
be completed.
The Florida is being fitted out for a
flagship and will complete the first d.
vision Of dreadnaughts in the United
States navy, which include the Della
ware, the North Dakota and the Utah.
The Delaware and the North Dakota
were the first Of the dreadnaught type
to be built for this country, and have
a displacement Of 10000 tons.
Her Heavy Armament.
The Florida, however, like the Utah,
will have a displacement Of 1926
tons, and will carry practically the
same armament as the Utah, consist
ing of ten 12-inch guns as a main bat
terry and 16 five-inch rapid-fre guns,
four three-pounder salute guns, two
three-inch field pieces and two machine
guns. The vessel will also have two
submerged torpedo tubes.
The length Of the new ship Is blO
feet: her breadth SS feet 2ss inches;
draft % feet 6 inches; coal carrying
capacity, $500 tons; oil fuel CARRYING
capacity, 1888 tons; and the speed Is
to be not less than 20N knots.
Two steel wire towers, like those
that have been installed on nearly all
the battleships, will be placed on the
new vessel She will have five tur
rets, each containing two OF the mon
ster 12-inch guns, and they win be SC
arranged lnAL dlA VCH Suns SNAN -
filled as broadside. Her armor belt
follows the line Of the 11-inch armol
Of latest vessels Of the navy, that ID
a thick armor belt protecting hel
magazine and vitals, with a reduced
thickness covering other parts Of the
ship. The armor is so placed that the
ship cannot be vitality damaged BY any
but the heaviest type Of guns wher
fighting.
The Florida and Utah are now The
largest vessels in the United States
navy, and with the two monster shipi
Of $4,000 tons each that are now II
course Of construction. and two more
that undoubtedly will be authorized
BY the present congress, this country
will hold her position Of second place
among the naval powers Of the world
England being first.
MnpE cunHKc IN cnSTA RIGA