THE NEWEST BATTLESHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 75, 27 March 1903, Page 4

THE NEWEST BATTLESHIP.

We have worked out the approximate weight of projectiles which may be fired per minute by the new Chilian ship about to be launched by the Tickers Company at Barrow-in-Furness, as compared with representative ships of the same size belonging to other firms; and it will be seen that the weight of shot is enormously greater in the new ship, being 13 jt tons, I while the 14,000-ton Russell fit es 8 9 tons; the Russian Orel, of 13,600 tons, 9 tons ; I the Austro-Etungarian ship, of 10,600 tons 18 8 t jns ; the latest German ship, of 1 13,200 tons, 7 75 tons ; and the Italian ship, of 12,624 tons, 8 7 tons of projectiles. Taking the collective energy of one minute's firing, the Chilian ship de~ velops more than double that of any of the ships we have named, with Jthe single exception of the British battleship Russell. The Chili-in ship, of 11,800 tons, has a collective energy per minute of 1,705.249 foot-tons, while the Russell, of 14,000 tons, has an energy of 984,365 foot- tons. It is, however, pretty well accepted that the next naval enaagement will probably be fought at a very long range—probably B,oooyds—so that the figures showing the approximate striking energy developed per minute in the Chilian ship and others in the list at this rauge are interesting. Here, again, it will be seen that the collectivo total for a minute is more than double that of any of the ships on the list, notwithstanding that she is the second smallest on the list. Of course, the lOin guns separately are not equal to the 12in weapons fitted to one or two of tjie ships ; but in view of their power, especially when capped Ehell is used, there can be no doubt that they will do destructive work, and their choice is a wise compromise, especially as it enables fourteen of the new 7 oin guns to be fitted-on board. Each 5001b capped shot may perforate at half a njile rarigo the broadside armour of any ship afloat; while the 2001b shots may perforate 6in armour at ICOO yards range. These splendid fighting qualities, too, have been provided upon limited dimensions —the length being 436 ft, the beam 71ft, and draught only 24ft 7£in. The displscement is 11800 tons. A sea speed of 19 knots is to be realised. The two engines, driving separate propellers, will develop 12,500 indicated horse power. Nor have this high speed and fighting power been attained at the sacrifice of radius of action, as the ship carries fuel and supplies to enable it to steam at 10 knots for 11,000 sea miles.—Engineering.