A POWERFUL CRUISER FOR THE JAPANESE GOVERMENT.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XVI, Issue 5182, 1 June 1885, Page 3

A POWERFUL CRUISER FOR THE JAPANESE GOVERMENT.

The firm of Sir W'. ; G. Armstrong, Mitchell, ' and Co. launched'recently from: tlieir'ship- i building yard at Low Walker, on the Tyne,' 1 a magnificent cruiser .war •'-vessel for. the I Japanese 1 Government.- ■} is the;first;'o£ two''^powerfully-protected 1 cruiserp designed /by 'Mr W. ' K White. 1 Those | vessels aro the sjyiftest and most ! heavilyirmed cruisers'at present in exist-' ; ence. ; ; The : two ; ,new cruisers mayj be • described -'as enlarged \VEsmeraldae with , substantial improvements ito,.,defence, Btructijral arrangements, protective arma-' and.speed rendered possible by the incrcario; in size. In the new cruisers "are almost'identical withthe Iris and Mercury, despatch vessolsof the Royal Navy,; and the Leander class of partially, projected 'cruisers. The estimated speed of theao Japanese cruisers is from 18 to 18i knots. Each vessel will have a complete armament of locomotive torpedoes ejected from. four stations, two on.eaoh broadside, situated'at a small; lieight'above water.; The new cruiser has piiibst powerful ram bow, formed of an immensely strong steel casting which projects forward under water; the length, arid covering the spaces occupied by machinery, boilers, magazines, and steering-gear,there is a strong protective deck,'of steel. 'It is , questioned whether anywar vessel of the size? and 1 with the complicated' fittings are embodied' in the design. f of the , Naniwa-Kan has been built 'and-so' far fitted in so short a limo (11 months). In I the Royal 1 .!.i dockyar'ds. thp. first, Mersoy, s ordered: moroiithfin tjvo yeftrs ago; is only. " just ready for launching.' In all prohabilitj' ;,tlie' wili.be feteamitig ' oft the Tyne and. fiiinghor guns,within 3 four o'r fivb inonths frotti tho pro^titiraoi' 1