The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-08-04

Supposed to Be For Argentine Repub-
Iic-W Will Be Larger Than Any
preadnousht Now In Course of Con-
struetion and Is to Be Powerfully
Armored.
An international mystery surrounds
the construction of the dreadful Riva-
davia, which is fast nearing compile
ton at the Fore River shipyards at
Quincy, Mass. This and her sister
ship, which is being built at Camden,
N. j., when fully equipped will be the
worlds two greatest battleships,
There is much speculation as to
which nation will eventually own this
powerful ship of war. She is being
built for the Argentine Republic, but
her sale by that country is considered
almC It certain.
Work is being rushed on the mon
ster ship both day and night in order
that everything may be in readiness
for the launching at noon Aug 20.
The progress made in building these
two battleships is being watched close
ly by large corps Of authorized rep
resentatives of the Argentine Repub-
lie who have been in this country
since the work of construction began
These men are distributed through
out the country at every plant where
the material for these ships Is being
supplied, and practically every piece
of material is thoroughly examined by
them before being placed IN position
They maintain the utmost secrecy and
have nothing to say to any one except
those with whom they are brought in
contact in their work, which adds even
greater mystery to the construction Of
these giant Dreadnoughts-
Externally the Rivadavia closely re-
sembles the British Lion, building at
Devonport, or the Arkansas and Wy
oming, now building for the United
States navy. In height she agrees
with several of the latest English and
American Dreadnoughts.
The normal displacement Of this
monster ship under ordinary condi-
tions is 26,50O tons, although the trial
displacement with all weights COM
plete and 1,600 tons Of coal will be
27,500.
Its Unequaled Displacement.
The displacement of the Rfvadavia
exceeds that of even the largest of the
English and American dreadnoughts
now building. The Arkansas and wy
oming of the United States navy viii
be 10000 and 26,400 respectively, while
the Hercules and Colossus of the Brit
ish navy are 24,O00 and 25,OOO. The
Lion Of the English navy will be 26,-
600 however.
The dimensions OF the hull are:
Length, 585 feet; breadth. 98 feet; nor
above the normal water line the fore
castle will be 25 feet 9 inches; amid
ships, % feet 8 inches and astern. II
feet inch.
| The superstructure on the upper
deck will be completely suppressed to
| avoid obstruction to the arc of fire Of
the main guns as we'll as to reduce the
target surface
A main armor belt Of twelve inch
uniform thickness, 200 feet long and
extending 4 feet inches above and
feet inches below the normal wa
ter line will protect the machinery and
boilers. This belt will continue sew
enty-1ve feet more at each end, ex-
tending to point abreast OF the ex-
treme turrets, where its thickness is
reduced to ten inches.
The English, American and Japanese
IDEAS have been closely followed IN
the arrangements Of armor. AS re-
CARDS thickness and distribution It
closely resembles the plans being car
ried out in the construction of the lat
est ships Of Japan. The total weight
of all armor, barbettes, turrets, ETC., is
estimated at 1000 tons.
Steam turbines furnish the motive
power. These are located IN three sep
arate and independent compartments.
The coal bunkers have capacity OF
1000 tons, while the oil tanks Will
carry 66O tons of that fuel
Will Travel 22La Knots an Hour.
The main turbines can develop 39,-
500 horsepower with one inch of air
in the fire rooms, but the blowers VIII
be required to produce a pressure OF
two inches Of water. Allowing for
the displacement of 27,5OO tons, this
power win give the DreadnOught a
speed of 221b knots.
The main battery consists Of twelve
twelve-inch fifty-caliber guns, mount
ed In pairs In six turrets arranged 60
as to fire from either side; twelve SIX
inch fifty-caliber guns installed in the
central casemate, SIX on each side;
twelve four-inch fifty -caliber guns and
many other smaller field and saluting
guns
The twelve inch gun turrets win be
protected by twelve inch arnor IN
front, nine inch armor at the sides