LAUNCH OF H.M.S. RAMILLIES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume I, Issue 21, 7 May 1892, Page 9

LAUNCH OF H.M.S. RAMILLIES.

ELM.S. RamillieS) the heaviest'war- 1

.ship built in any .private shipbuilding • establishment in the world was launched" iby Messrs James and George Thompson i (Limited), at iGlasgow, on March Ist.

The vessel, which is of steel throughout,

is builtl on the longitudinal system. The 'hull is divided into 220 water-tight

compartments, rendering it practically mnßinkable. There is a double bottom

extending throughout the engine-room,. 'boiler, 1 and main magizine spaces. The inner bottom is raised •at the centre of; •the ship and forms the flat for the magazines, which extend from the inner, Ibottom.to the lower deck. The engines' ■■ and boilers are placed on each side of the magazines, and :are separated by

longitudinal bulkheads, extending the' "whole length of the]magazine -space. JLongitudinal bulkheads at the sides exitend throughout the'machinery space,.

: and 1 form coal '■ bunkers; and wing spaces.<On the platform, debris, andtlower decks is placed the auxiliary machinery for 'the working of the ship, including:

.(-steering engines and gear, windlas and ■ capstan engines, air-compressing en;gines, ; electric engines, and hydraulic ' fpumping^engines, as well as a 'fally- ■ equipped :;work-shop and numerous storerooms. The officers and crew are

• accommodated on the bolt and main, - decks. 'The officers' accommodation,. • consists of 'handsomely-fitted cabins - situated aft, the superiors beings berthed «on the main • deck. , The Admiral's ■■■■ accommodation' is at«the extreme aft' •of the main deck, and communicates -with -a ;handsome stern -walk, 'ffheji i upper deck extends from stem to stern! without a'break. Above it are thej

shelter decks, on which are the conning

towers. These are surmounted -'by Iflying ■ connected with each •lother by •a' fore and aft bridge. The vboats, of which there are '21; including

■two 56ft. torpedo !boats, are stowed -amidships. A strong steel derrick <is /-fitted tothe main mast forilifting them, VataJ the foremast is also with-a • derrick for'^-working' those of a lighter «description. The masts, which are r« built of steel, are with military and signaling tops, and there are two on the same; athwartships' line. ''The barbettes'project through the upper «deck? a'few feet. Inside are (powerful turning • engines, and all the :gear for-controlling the ponderous turn--tables and working the guns themselves. ""The armament consists •of four 67-ton ibreechloading guns of 13Jin. calibre/

•with, a .training of 120 degrees on each vside: of "the centre-line; -10 6in. 100----ipounder quick-firing guns, four in ;? armoured * casements ■on the, main deck = and six on; sponsons onSthe ■ upper deck

r l6« 6.pounder' quick-firing.guns, four on supper deck and 12 on main deck; nine -! S-pounder ■ quick-firing guns, ; four in tops and five for boats.; two

; 9-povrader'R.M.L. field guns; eight -45.; o'ifive-barrelled machine.guna; and seven 4 torpedo'tobes, four on the broadside, one ■• at the stern, and two submerged. ■