Cruiser

( Navy.) In the modern sense, a ship of war, armored or unarmored, designed for cruising, and po e ing an armament inferior to that of a battleship, but, as a rule, with a relatively higher rate of speed.-As recently as 1880, there was a clear line of demarcation between the armored and the unarmored C.; but since that time these types have been gradually merged until such distinction has lost much of its significance in recent naval construction. The modern C. is a steel ve el of the highest development. Wooden ve els of this cla have almost disappeared, and sails have now practically given way to steam as a method of propulsion. These changes have compelled an increase in the size of cruisers, in order to afford room for coal and for the powerful engines which modern speed requirements have brought into use. The single-propeller type was first succeeded by the twin-screw, and now the triple-propeller model is in vogue for cruisers of the largest form. -C. of the U. S. Nary. There are now (1897) two first cla armored cruisers in the U. S. Navy, the New York and the Brooklyn. The former was begun in 1890 and completed three years later. Its dimensions follow: length, 380 feet, 6 inches; breadth, 64 feet, 10 inches; mean draught, 23 feet, 6 inches; displacement, 8,200 tons; coal capacity, 1,290 tons; horse-power, 17,401; speed, 21 knots. This fine ve el has two three-bladed propellers of manganese bronze, each 16 feet in diameter and 20 feet pitch. A steel protective deck extends the whole length of the ve el, its side edges being 4% feet below the water line, curving to a foot above amidships. This deck is 21⁄2 inches thick at the edges, 6 inches on 3 the slopes, and 3 inches on the central flats. An armor belt of 5-inch steel, between the protective and main decks, serves as a shield for the machinery. Extending all around the ve el is a cellular structure, 3 feet, 6 inches deep, next to the outer plates, filled with cellulose (q. v.) for protection in case of perforation of the hull below the water line. Two sets of three cylinder engines of the triple expansion type furnish the motive power for each propeller, making in all four complete sets of engines. The propellers may be worked independently. There are three smoke-pipes and two military masts. The armament of the New York consists of six 8-inch rifles, two of which are mounted in a 10-inch steel barbette forward, two similarly mounted aft, and one amidships on either side; twelve 4-inch rapid-fire rifles in 4-inch steel sponsons on the main deck; and eight 6-pounder rapid-fire guns in 2-inch sponsons, also on the main deck. There are two torpedo tubes on each broadside; also one forward and another aft-six in all. The 4-inch guns are 16.5 feet and the 8-inch guns 25 feet above load water-line. The New York has shown a capacity to sustain a sea-speed of over 18 knots under ordinary conditions, and is therefore one of the most formidable warships afloat of the C. cla . The Brooklyn , Minneapolis , and Olympia are of the first cla ; the Baltimore, Chicago , Philadelphia , Charleston , Newark , San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston , Raleigh and Cincinnati are of the second cla ; and the Detroit , Montgomery , and Mar blehead are of the third cla . These are otherwise known (except the third cla ) as protected cruisers. The Vesuvius is of a special cla , known as the dynamite C.; the Dolphin is a dispatch boat ; and the York town , Concord, Castine, Bennington, Machias, Helena, Nashville and Wilmington, are more properly cla ified as gun boats (q. v.) Of our first-cla cruisers, the Columbia was first completed, being closely followed by her sister ship, the Minneapolis . These ve els are almost identical in design and armament, and therefore closely resemble each other in appearance, except that the former has four smokestacks and the latter only two. A curved steel protective deck covers the machinery space, 21⁄2 inches thick on the flats and 4 inches on the slopes. The cellulose belt, for excluding water, is 5 feet thick, extending all around the hull. The engines are of the vertical, triple expansion type, and having developed 18,509 and 20,862 horse-power on the Columbia and Minneapolis respectively, drive three propellers, the location of which is shown in Fig. 2794. These mammoth screws may be worked independently if desired. Cruisers of this type are designed chiefly for offensive operations, and are known as "commerce destroyers; " their armament, therefore, is light, consisting of 18-inch rifle aft, 2 6-inch guns on the spar deck, forward, and 84-inch rapid-fire guns, mounted in 4-inch steel sponsons on the main deck, besides 12 6-pounder, 41-pounder, and 4 gatlings variously distributed at vantage points IMG:content-0499.png:[graphic][merged small] begun in 1893 and finished in 1896, is somewhat larger than the New York , being 400-6 feet long, with 64 feet, 8 inches beam, 24 feet draught, and 9,271 tons displacement, with 16,000 horse-power. A speed of 20 knots was required by contract, but, on her official trial trip, Aug. 27, 1896, this noble ve el covered 83 nautical miles at an average speed of 21.92 knots, a portion of which was made at the rate of 22-9 knots an hour. The Brooklyn differs from the New York in having three very high smoke-pipes, towering 100 feet above the grate bars; and in having a much higher fore-deck and free-board, by means of which the pair of 8-inch rifles forward are carried some eight feet further above the water than the corresponding guns of the New York . These peculiarities detract somewhat from the beauty of the ve el; but, since the lofty smokestacks serve the same purpose as that attained by the more expensive forced draught, and the greater elevation of the forward rifles guarantees them greater efficiency in the pursuit of an adversary, especially when steaming against the wind, the lo of symmetrical beauty will doubtle be compensated by economy and increased usefulne . The Brooklyn carries 8 8-inch rifles, in 8-inch steel barbettes -two forward, two aft, and two on each broadside; 12 5-inch, 4 6-pounder, and 4 1-pounder rapid-fire guns, and 4 gatlings. There are two torpedo tubes on either side and one at the bow. A protective steel deck, from 3 to 6 inches thick, is worked throughout the ve el, as in the New York ; and the cellulose lining is also a valuable adjunct. The contract price of the New York, including machinery and hull, but not the speed premium, was $2,985,000; of the Brooklyn , $2,986,000. Unarmored C.-Our new navy has three cla es of C. of the so-called unarmored type. Of these, the Columbia , on the deck, bridges and military tops. The Columbia made a speed record of 22-8 knots on her government trial-trip, and this was exceeded by the Minneapolis , with 23.7 knots. On July 26-August 2, 1895, the Colum bia made a memorable trip from Southampton to New York, covering the 3,000 miles in seven days le eleven minutes an average of 18:41 knots an hour-which is believed to be the fastest ocean voyage ever made by any warship. The general dimensions of these two cruisers are as follows: Length, 412 feet; breadth, 52-2 feet; mean draught, 22.5 feet; coal capacity, about 2,000 tons; displacement, 7,375 tons. The contract price of machinery and hull was $2,725,000 for the Columbia , and $2,690,000 for the Minneapolis ; the former has a crew of 40 officers and 429 men, while the latter has 40 officers and 456 men. The Olympia is of a somewhat different model, being only 340 feet long, with 53 feet beam, a mean draught of 215 feet and a displacement of 5,870 tons. There are only two screws, yet a speed of 21.6 knots was developed on official trial, with 17,313 horse-power-only 13,500 horse-power having been required by contract. The main battery consists of 4 8-inch and 10 5-inch rifles, all located on the main deck, besides a secondary battery of 14 6-pounder rapid-fire guns stowed in 4-inch steel sponsons (5 on each broadside), with 6 1-pounders and 4 gatlings on the bridges and in the fighting tops. The 8-inch guns are mounted in pairs in two 31⁄2-inch turrets (fore and aft) which re volve within barbettes of 4-inch nickel steel. Having an axial height of 22 feet, and firing through an arc of 280°, these 8-inch guns have a great range of action and are remarkably well protected from return fire. The disposition of the 5-inch guns is such that four out of the five on each side can be trained at once on an object either fore or aft within a radius of 180°. The 6-pounders | Seminary on account of his color, he became a student on the berth deck are so placed as to be free from the flash of the main battery above, and are able, collec- tively, to maintain a complete belt of fire around the ship. This ve el is considered by many experts to be the greatest fighting craft of her tonnage afloat. Cost of hull and machinery, $1,796,000.-Second Cla C. The list is as follows: ATLANTA BOSTON Name . CHICAGO BALTIMORE PHILADELPHIA. NEWARK CHARLESTON SAN FRANCISCO. CINCINNATI RALEIGH IMG:content-0500.png:[blocks in formation] The main batteries of the Atlanta and Boston consist of two 8-inch and six 6-inch rifles; the Chicago and Balti more have each four 8-inch guns; the former has eight 6-inch and two 5-inch guns, and the latter six 6-inch guns in addition. The Philadelphia , Newark and San Francisco have main batteries of twelve 6-inch rifles, with no higher calibers, while those of the Cincinnati and Raleigh embracing ten 5-inch and one 6-inch guns, and the Charleston two of 8-inch and six of 6-inch caliber. The secondary batteries include 1-, 3- and 6pounder rapid-fire guns, Hotch ki revolving cannon America he was appointed rector of St. Luke's Church, Washington, D. C. From Lincoln University, Pa., he received the degree of D.D. His works comprise: The Future of Africa ; Greatne of Christ, and other Sermons , . Crust of the Earth. ( Geol .) That small portion of the exterior of our planet which is acce ible to human observation. It comprises not merely those portions of which the structure is laid open in mountain precipices, or in cliffs overhanging rivers or the sea, or whatever the miner may reveal in artificial excavations; but the whole of that outer covering of the planet on which and gatlings, from 14 to 18 on each ship. Some of the earlier types, as the Atlanta and the Newark , are arranged for the use of sails; but, as already stated, sail-power is now seldom considered in naval architecture, except for small gunboats. Third Cla C. These are among the most valuable ve els in our navy, being relatively economical as to first cost and maintenance, and having sufficient speed and sea-endurance to render them capable of performing the duties of a C. most acceptably. At this date there are only three in commi ion, viz.: Name. DETROIT MARBLE HEAD.. MONTGOMERY we are enabled to reason by observations made at or near the surface. These reasonings may extend to a depth of several miles, but even then it may be said that such a thickne is but a small part of a fraction of the distance from the surface to the centre. This remark is just; but although the dimensions of such a crust are in truth insignificant when compared to the entire globe, yet they are vast and of magnificent extent in relation to man, and to the organic beings which people our globe. The materials of this crust IMG:content-0501.png:[blocks in formation] These are sometimes termed "partially protected" C., but po e very little defensive power except their speed. Each carries nine 5-inch rapid-fire rifles of high power, in addition to six 6-pounder, two 1-pounder and two gatlings, making a very formidable armament except in use against armored antagonists. The Montgomery , completed in 1893, is probably the most effective ve el of the three. All our C. of recent build are well provided with torpedo tubes, are models of marine construction, have proved themselves entirely seaworthy, and have, in nearly every case, more than met contract requirements. Electrical appliances for lighting, inter ship communication, steering, hoisting, ., have been fully utilized. Specific reference to the C. of other nations is hardly required here, for the ve els of our own navy, already described, represent everything that is new or useful in the art of building and equipping warships of this cla .