PURCHASE OF WARSHIPS BY AMERICA IN ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10023, 29 April 1898, Page 5

PURCHASE OF WARSHIPS BY AMERICA IN ENGLAND.

The Government ot the United States lately purchased two fine cruisers, built and building at Elswick, for the Brazilian Government. Possibly tbe officials took more pleasure in closing up the business in this manner because of the knowledge that Spanish agents bad been striving to secure these very ships, and that to Spain, it is said, they would be of much greater value in case of trouble than to the United States. The United States flag will be hoisted over the new ships at once, says a New York paper, and just as soon a.? a crew can be put aboard the Amazona3 will start for the United States. The other vessel, the Admiral Ahren, will follow at the earliest possible moment. They are steel-sheathed and coppered, with twin screws. The Amazonas is rated at 3600 tons displacement, with an indicated horse - power under natural draught of 7000, which is calculated to develop twenty knots speed. The main battery is made up of six 6in guns; but these guns, as well as the four 7in guns, are of what is known as 50-calibre length, giving them an unusual range and power. In addition to this they have a number of quick-firing and machine guns. The torpedo tubes are three in number. The coal capacity is 850 tons, giving an effective steaming radius of 8000 knots, a most valuable feature, inasmuch as it would enable the ship to cross and recross the Atlantic without coaling. Such a vessel u*ed as a commerce destroyer would be vastly more effective than what appears to be more powerful craft, because of her ability to go on long cruises without touching at neutral ports to coal, and thus exposing herself to capture.