Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

BY ALBERT G. HOOD, Editor of “ The Shipbuilder.” THE units of the world’s fighting fleets may, for the purpose of this article, be divided into eight main classes— namely, Battleships, Cruisers, Scouts, Sloops, Gunboats, Torpedo Boats, Torpedo Boat Destroyers, and Submarines ; and since there is frequently much confusion in the mind of the landsman as to the distinctive features of each, we shall, as we proceed, endeavour to indicate their respective characteristics. In a naval encounter the vessel upon which the belligerents would most rely is undoubt- edly the battleship, the most heavily pro- tected and armed type of The Battleship warship designed. A well- known authority has recently summed up the requirements in the design of this class of vessel as follows : “A battle- ship should have such a form and dimen- sions as shall ensure good sea-going qualities, providing a steady gun platform in heavy weather, and ability to maintain a high speed at sea. Such a ship should also have a large radius of action—secured by ample fuel supply in association with economical fuel- burning and steam-using apparatus—and ample structural strength, not only under normal circumstances, but after damage in action ; and must also carry a heavy gun armament well protected by armour, and bo (1,408) 25 provided with armour for the protection of machinery and other ‘ vital ’ parts, as well as for the defence of buoyancy and stability.” When it is remembered that the battleship may have to withstand (1) heavy gun fire, (2) a torpedo or mine attack, or (3) possibly ramming, the magnitude of the task set to the designer Defensive ,, . . , Qualities. m the provision of adequate defensive qualities will be appreciated. For protection against gun fire the ship must carry armour over as large a portion of her sides as possible, and protective decks. In addition to this hull protection, heavily armoured barbettes and caseinates must be fitted to preserve from the enemy’s fire the guns which will constitute the offensive power of the vessel. So important is this last con- sideration that, of the total weight set aside for protection, one-third is often utilized for the preservation of the armament. The coal fuel carried by the vessel above and below the protective deck must be so distributed as to further protect the vital parts of the ship against any shells which may pierce the hull ; and the rudder, so important for manoeuvring while the ship is in action, has to be fitted below the water-line to save it from injury by gun fire. The armour belt at the water-line must be specially efficient,