Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-14

NEW YORK. Oct. H.-In the presence
OF Secretary of the Navy Josephus Dam
( iels and a big crowd, the keel OF the
California, the largest and mightiest bat
tleship in the world and the first one
TO be driven by electricity. was laid here
today. ....
Secretary Daniels and other Navy off,
cials praised the American naval engi-
neers who have made the electrically
driven batteship possible.
''The California" said Secretary Dan
iels. will be the first battleship OF any
navy in the world TO be propelled by elec-
tricity. The installation OF the electric
drive ushers I'm a new epoch In naviga-
ton, Just as far-reaching and important
as that In which steam succeeded sail
power. The California will have a cruis-
ing radius about so per cent. greater than
her sister ship. The combination of elec-
trio drive and oil fuel will enable her to
steam nine days longer or 2e50 miles fur
ther than a coal-burning dreadnought.
In other words the California will be
able to steam nearly twice as far as the
Wyoming or Arkansas.
'The California is coming into our navy
at the time of the passing of coal and
substitution therefor of oil as fuel
1T is a source of pride that the Ameri-
can Navy is initiating the movement for
use Of electricity in propelling battle
ships"
Daniels predicted the navy would
transport. refine and store its oil supply.
The ceremonies began with a prayer by
Chaplain Isaacs, of the Brooklyn Navy
Yard. Two steel plates, II by feet in
size, were swung into positions between
two keel blocks. and then Captain Rock
who is building the California. descended
to the bottom of the ways with four sill
YER bolts which were riveted into place.
A silver horseshoe was fastened upon
a temporary wooden block representing
the bow of the California.
In addition to Secretary Daniels some
OF the other notables present were Rear
Admiral Nathaniel Usher commandant
OF the Brooklyn Navy Yard; Captain
George w. Rock naval constructor; Dr.
Miller r. Hutchinson, chief engineer for
Thomas A. Edison. and many others
The California will cost Sl6,OOOOOO more
than any other battleship ever built any
where and will take three years to COM
-~>sefs.
The California will cost sl5OO 900. 81, 900.
900 more than the Pennsylvania, the next
largest battleship, which is now nearing
completion. The California will be a
graceful craft. Her bow will be of the
clipper style, giving her a yachtlike ap-
pearance.
The California will not be a speedy
ship. Her builders will aim at H knots
an hour or four knots less than the
Queen Elizabeth, the most powerful ves-
sci in the British navy. Her engines will
develop 5000 horsepower, against 10000
for England's pride.
But TO attain her speed the Queen
EIizabeth's armor has been lightened
Sc will be more vulnerable than the Cali
fornia.
The California will carry - 1Ainoh
guns, arranged three to a turret, while
the Queen Elizabeth has 15-inch guns.
II is asserted by American naval off,
GERS that the United States 14-insS runs
have greater accuracy than the British
guns OF larger calibre. The American
experts figure that the California will
make 70 per cent. more hits than the
Queen Elizabeth at 12,00O yards (6s miles)
and can pierce the Britisher's heaviest
arnor at.that distance.
!. The California will he 624 feet long. 81
~Yeet.sbeam and will draw 80 feet OF water
bldes her main battery of 14-inch guns
g will mount % 5-inch rapd-firinR
ines to repel torpedoboat attacks and
four submerged torpedo tubes.
She will burn oil for fuel and the steam
generated In her boilers will drive tur.
bines. which, in turn, will drive the dyna.
mos that supply power to the motors
that operate the screws.
Economy Is said 10 be one OF the CHIEF
advantages of this system. for on low
speed only part of the turbines will bt
In use, and the motors will be equipped
with device that prevents the screws
from racing and racking the motors
when lifted clear OF the water by heavy
seas.