The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-30
Superdreadnaught Idaho Takes
to Water Safely.
Carries Dozen i4-Inch Guns,
Displaces $4,000 Tons.
REQUIRES CREW OF 900 MEN
Is Last of Series of Seven
Manned With 14-Inch Guns.
Constructed for Security Over
Submarine Attacks,

Camden. N. J.. June so.-Another
monster fighting machine for the
navy took the water here today from
the yards of the New York Ship
bulidlng company when tn super
dreadnaught Idaho, sister shin IN the
pennsylvania. flagship OF the Atlantic
IIeet was launched successfully Hem
rletta Aurelia Simmons. granddaueh-
ter or Governor Alexander of Idaho
was sponsor for the big ship but. be-
cause of war conditions the general
pubic was not admitted to the cere-
mony. 1t was witnessed by a small
group OF navy. congressional and
company officials. The Idaho will
carry a round dozen 14-inch and
hfty-one calibre rifles. mounted in
trios in four turrets. two forward and
Two aft In size, armament eouip-
ment, speed and all but minor differ
ences, she will be duplicate OF the
pennsylvania and of the Mississippi.
Geared turbine engines will furnish
the $4,000 horse power necessary to
hurI her six hundred feet of length
and $4,000 tons of bulk thru the wa
Ter at a rate of more than 81 knots
This class, however, will be the last
American battIeships to be eouipned
with that type of propelling machin-
cry future ships to have the turbo-
electric drive.
Can Turn Night Into Day.
mere are no secrets about the
Idahos construction except nnodi-
iicatlons made after her hull had
been laid down to give her greater
security against submarine attack.
Navy designers believe the vessel will
be hard problem for a submarine
and she cannot be sunk with a single
torpedo. There will be twenty-five
5-fnch 51-calibre rifles swung along
the Idaho's side as her protection
against torpedo craft; four 3-inch
ianti-aircraft guns of the long range
type recently designed by the bureau
of ordnance which will make il dan
gerous for hostile airplanes or Yep
pelins which seek to approach. and
her great battery of powerful search
lights will turn night into day when
the ship has need to use her arma-
ment after dark. Below the waterline
two 21-inch torpedo tubes supplement
the terrific broadside weight of the
ships guns.
Like the Pennsylvania, the Idaho
will need twenty-six senior, sixteen
junior and ten warrant officers: forty
chief petty officers. and more than
/ 500 men as her fighting complement
She will carry seventy marines and be
! filled with quarters for an admiral
and his staff, in addition to the regI-
/ lar officers quarters, so that she can
carry the flag of the commander-in-
chief of the fleet if necessary. The
Idaho. Mississippi, California, New
Mexico. Arizona, Pennsylvania and
Tennessee will be the last American
battle craft to carry twelve 14-inch
rifles in their main batteries.
| They will complete wing of seven
gigantic vessels with this armament
Next from the ways will be the West
Virginia, Washington, Maryland and
Colorado carrying eight 16-fnch
rifles Behind these will come the
new class of $4,000 tonners. five OF
which have already been authorized
and which will carry twelve 16-inch
iIlfIeS