Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1912-10-04

w nen TAR sponsors DuISt DottiS7
of champagne over the bows OF the
battleships Oklahoma ana Nevada,
the latest additions to the United
States navy, and these vessels slide
down the runways into the seas,
there will be Aoated the greatest
warships ever constructed, or build
lug according to the belief of officials
of the navy department
Powerful in armor and the only
vessels OF the kind in the world to
carry three fourteen-inch guns IN
the one turret, the ships will repre-
sent the best thought OF both
branches of the service and will
mark the elimination OF the rosicst
dreams OF shipbuilders.
When the New York and Texas
were authorized it was thought the
zenith of modern battle ship building
had been almost reached, but since
the Oklahoma and Nevada author
tiles now see even greater ships OF
construction and armament will
start development along new lines.
Not only will the Oklahoma and
Nevada be as speedy as. but they are
so designed to give a better account
OF themselves in all directions. in
any engagement in which they may
participate than others in the navy.
These latest vessels will be 500
tors heavier than their immediate
predecessors, the New York and
Texas, their length over ali to be
5S3 feet: beam 95 ieet2S inches,
mean draft % feet 6 inches. on
which will be displacement Of IT,
500 tons. The engines Of the two
new vessels will differ. the Curtis
type being used on the Nevada and
the reciprocal engine being used on
the Oklahoma. The estimated speed
wilt be 2Oh knots.
Naval officials show great interest
IN the armament OF the two yes
sells. it being declared thar their de-
iensive power will have never been
eoualled The vessels will carry
greater weight of armor than has
been carried so far as navy depart
ment officials. know, and it will be
disposed to a much greater advan-
tage. Stability and mobility on a
warship are two great essentials, but
l. atalp
protected complacement OF guns.
The idea will be carried out in the
Oklahoma and Nevada. The belt
armor is considered by naval officials
to be one of the most important
sections of a battleship for it is this
that must be relied upon to prevent
proiectiles from Striking a vital
blow TO vessel-in the magazines,
boiler or engine rooms. This belt
line on the Oklahoma ard Nevada
will be l7I5 feet in width, and at the
mean draft will extend 9 feet above
tn 3 feet below the water line. 1hlS
will have the unprecedented thick
ness of 1877 inches and will extend
4CO feet along each side OF the ship.
At irs after end the belt armor vii!
be carried at its full depth of l7Is
feet to a point about 30 feet aft OF
No barbette Here there Will be
iar the depth of the belt decreas-
ing from l7H feet TO 81 feet. at
which depth it will continued an
other 90 feet. Transverse bulk heads
Of the same thickness as the belt
will be carried across the ship.
Instead Of the side armor being
placed horizontally in two strips
with continuous horizontal joints
inst above the water line, as has
been the custom in balleship build
ing heretofore. the armor plates on
the new battleships will be laid ver-
ticallv and without a joint at the
water line 1t is declared this sys'
tenn will remove danger at the ships
most vulnerable point
Two protective decks will afford
excellent protection against plung-
ing fire and against fragments OF
shells which may be exploded IN
passing through the ships tin plat
Ing in the wake of the gun deck.