THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC SQUADRON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1898, Page 5

THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC SQUADRON.

The vessels of the United States which, as far as advices go, came out of tiie engagemerit without Buttering to anything like the extent that the Spaniards did arc for the most part of comparatively modern construction. The Olynipia, the lingship, was constructed at the Union Ironworks, San Francisco, and launched in is.Xj. Mr Bruce Lloyd, agent here for the (inn who constructed her, and who was personally engaged working on her for two years) has courteously placed at our disposal the fullest particulars with regard to the ship. She is a cruiser of 5,870 tons and 17,500 horse power unprotected with exception of 4.Un steel on the slopes of the main deck. Her contract speed was 20 knots, hut in her trial trip she averaged 21.0. Her armament for a cruiser is exceptionally heavy. The most formidable portion of it are 4 Sin rapid-firing guns mounted in revolving turrets, two being placed in a turret alt and two uuder similar protection forward. On tlie main flccic are 10 Sin rapid firing guns capable of firing 20 shots each in three minutes, while ou the deck immediately below are mounted with protective shields 1-10----pounder rapid firing guns. On the superstructure immediately above the main deck and in the tops are-four (latlings, and six 1-pounder rapid firing guns. The Olympia also carries six torpedo tubes. Her complement of men is .500.

The Pal ti more was launched from the yards of Crump and Co. at l'hiladelph in '88. She . i.s a steel cruiser of 4,000 tons with a speed of 20.0 knots, and complement 375 officers and men. Her guns arc 'protected by 4Ain, and her decks hy <lin and 2Ain armoiu. Her arinamenl, consists of four Sin, six Gin, four 6-pounder quick-firing, two 3-pounders, two 1 -pounders, and six muzzle-loading guns. The Concord, built, in 1890, is 1,700 tons displacement, and has a speed of 17..'5 knots. Her complement is lot) olliccrs and men. She bus mounted six (.in, two opounder quiek-liring, two .'{-pounder, one I-pounder, and four muzzle-loading guns. The Raleigh, also a steel cruiser, was built at Norfolk in 1802. She is ef 3,183 I tons displacement, and her decks are protected by armour S^in thick. Her speed is 19 knots, coal supply 556 tons, and comI plement 295 officers and men. Her

armament includes one Gin, 10 sin qnicklirtng, eight .six-pounder, four one-pou'ndcr, and two muzzle-loading guns. Tho Petrol, built at Ballimoro in ISSS, has a speed of 13.7 knots, displacement of 890 tons, while her complement is 100 ollieers and men. Her guns and decks are protected by lin armour. Her armament comprises four (iin, two threepounder quick - firing, one one-pounder, and four muzzle-loading guns. The Boston is a steel cruiser of 3,189 tons. Her deck is protected by l.Un armour. Her speed i.s 15 knots, and she carries a complement of 270 ollieers and men. Her armament is as follows-.—2 Sin six Gin, two (i-pouinler quick-firing, two 3-pounder, two l-pounder, two I.Bin, two I.4in, and two muzzle-loading guns.