UNITED STATES NAVY

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 371, 25 May 1889, Page 4

UNITED STATES NAVY

The following details regarding* the proposed additions to the United States navy will be found interesting: — Unless unforeseen obstacles aie encountered within a few months atter the beginning of the next fiscal year (July 1), contracts will have been let for the construction of new war vessels which will in the aggregate increase the tonnage of the navy nearly 15,000 tons, Although the majority of the new vessels will besmalloraftcompared with the monster ironcladsofEurope, they will embodyin their construction the latest improved ideas of high speed and heavy armament, and will be very formidable ships of war. The list includes three 2,000-ton cruisers or gunboats, vessels somewhat larger than tho Yorktown, just finished, and similar to that vessel in many respect?, although embodying many new features. There will be two 3,000-ton cruisers. These vessels will be smaller by 1,000 tons than the new cruiser Newark, but, by law, they are required to attain tho speed of twenty knots an hour. If this requirement be met, and the heavy ordnance now in contemplation be supplied them, these fleet boats will be terrors of the seas to foreigners. A great ironclad of 7,500 tons, a protected cruiser of 5,300 tons, and a small gunboat of 800 tons burden complete the list. Designs for theso vessels have already been prepared ! by the Naval Board, and await approval by the Secretary. In addition to the vessels above described, Congress at the last session provided for the construction of five more cruisers, including the Thomas cruising monitor, and in an emergency their construction would be commenced within the present year.

Gilhooly — Ib seems to me that there are fewer marriages than ever before. I wonder what is the cause of it ? Gus de Smith — If young ladies would learn to stick a pin in their apron strings so that it wouldn't scratch a fellow'b wrist there would be more marriages