THE CHILIAN WAR.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7863, 14 May 1891, Page 5

THE CHILIAN WAR.

EXPECTED ENGAGEMENT WITH

AMERICAN CRUISERS.

(By Elkctric Tklboraph—Copybxqht.)

[m PBBS9 ASSOOIATIOM]. Beoeived May lSth. 1030 m.ia.

Washington, May 12. 'There is much excitement in America over the fight whioh is expected between the United States cruisers Charleston and Omaha and the Chilian vessels Itata and Esmeralda, which broke from San Diego last week.

The Eemeralda is an unarmored cruiser, with a protected deck lin thick, 3000 tons displacement, 270 ft long, 40ft beam. The hull is composed of steel. Mean draught 18ft 3in, and engines 6500 indicated horse power. She carries two lOin 25 ton Armstrong guns, six machine 6in 4 ton guns, two quick-firing and six machine guns, three nxed tube or launching torpedo carriages. The vessel was launched in 1883. Her speed ia 13.28 knots. Her coal supply is 600 tons, and she will steam 2200 knots at ten knots per hour with that amount. The Charleston lias her deck protected throughout. Her displacement is 3750 tons, length 300 ft, beam 46it, hull of steel, mean draught 18ft 6in, 7600 indicated horse power. She carries two Bin breech-loading rifle guns, six 6in 5 ton do, four quick firing and nine machine guns. She was launched in 1888, and her speed ia 18 knots. Her coal supply is 800 tons. The Omaha is a frigate built cruiser of 2400 tons displacement, length 249 ft 4in, beam 39ft 4in, hull of wood, mean drought 16ft sin, indicated horse power 1150. She carries ten 9in 4 ton smooth bores, one Bin 8 ton do, one 60-pouader muzzle-loading rifle gun and five machine guns. She was launched in 1858, and her speed is 12 knota. Her coal supply is 150 tons.