A MIGHTY BATTLESHIP.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 25, 22 June 1910, Page 33

A MIGHTY BATTLESHIP.

THE BRAZILIAN MINAS GERAES.

IN the early part of this year the first of the Dreadnought battleships, the Alinas Geraes, about which much speculation has been rife, was handed over by the builders, Sir W. G: Armstrong, YUiit worth and Co., of Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to the Brazilian Government, thus definiteIv disposing of the supposition that the vessel -was designed for some other power. This vessel has been the source of considerable discussion, since it represents the last word in heavy liattleship design, anti is at present the most powerfully armed warship alloat. The vessel's over-all length is 543 feet, moulded breadth S 3 feet, moulded depth 42.25 feet, displacement 19,000 tons, speed 21 knots. The propelling machinery, built by Vickers, Sons and Maxim, who have the second vessel of the series completing at Barrow, is of the reciprocating fourcylinder triple-expansion type, driving twin three-bladed propellers. She has a speed of 21.4 knots. The outstanding feature of the vessel, however, is the armament. The main armour on the broadside amidships is nine inches for a depth of 22.3 feet, five feet of which extends below the normal load water-lino. The forward ami aft barbettes are protected by a. transverse 9-ineh armour bulkhead, while forward and aft the hull is protected by 6-ineh

belt armouring, tapering to four inches at the extreme ends. There are two protective decks, the upper being 1.25 inches thick, and the water-line deck two inches thick. Nine-inch armour is also used for the upper strake amidships, and the 4.7-inch guns of the secondary armament are mounted within the citadel thus formed. In regard to offensive armament, the main liattery comprises twelve 12-inch, 45-calibre guns. Four are carried in pairs in two turrets in the centre line of the ships, both forward and aft, the remaining two pairs /bdiug mounted ion either side amidships. Tn order to permit these to he trained throughout a full arc of ISO degrees, the superstructure is cut away fore and aft. It will be readily seen that the upper deck of the vessel is left clear of all obstruction, a factor which is one of the outstanding features of the design. It will l>e seen also that the pairs of guns forward, as well as those aft. arc* stepped, the uppermost pair being some 12 feet above the level of those below, so as to enable the upper to fire over the lower pair. It will be seen from this arrangement, that a terrific gun fire can lie concent rated on either side, for the forward and aft two pairs of guns can be trained through an arc of 150 degrees on either side of the centre line of the

ship, thus giving a lire on either broadside, including the pair of guns amidships of ten 12in guns. Moreover, owing to a pair of guns fore and aft being set

at a higher elevation, they have a corresponding advantage in action. As these guns tire a projectile weighing 8501 b, tills means that an aggregate discharge of 85001 b can be concentrated from either broadside. In the accompanying photograph, taken during the gun trials, a full broadside tire is shown, and this is interesting, as it is the first occasion on which ten 12in guns have been tired from a broadside. Similarly, owing to the amidship guns on either broadside la-ing capable of training through an arc <d 180 degrees, it is possible to lire eight 12in guns ahead or astern. I he secondary armament comprises 4. ( in guns ami three-pounders of the quick-firing type. The central superstructure of the vessel has been so designed as to omy four 4.. in weapons' arranged in pairs one above the other on either side of the bridge at the forward end. with a similar disposition aft. These guns fire forward ami aft parallel with the. centre line of the ship but have a considerable angle of fire abaft the beam. Also six three-pounders are similarly mounted forward and aft in the same superstructure, while two other threepounders are carried on the top of each of the gun houses of the upper level pair of guns. On the main deck there are seven 4.7 in guns mounted within the citadel of Pin armour on either side, ami .the arrangement is such that the gu lls can be trained , through an are of 50 •degrees on either side of the centre line trahsverse to the keel, so that 'they ean be trained astern ami ahead altogether thpre are 22 4.7 in guns included in the secondary armament. The result is that in action the vessel ean pour a broadside from 10 12in guns firing 8501 b shells. 11 4.7 in guns firing 451 b shells, and six guns firing three-pounder projectiles. As all are of the latest quickfiring type, n comprehensive idea of the formidable character of the attack of this vessel may be obtained. The gun-operating mechanism is electrically and hydraulically driven, electricity being used for training the turrets. In addition there is emergency gear for every- operation. Immediately the gun is fired an airblast cleans it. and the rammer is fitted with a water spray, so that in the event of any sparks remaining when the breech is opened, they may be at once extinguished. The accommodation for the personnel is most adequate and commodious, especially in regard to the officers' accommodation; and in view of the hot climate in which the vessel is to be in service, special attention has been devoted to ventilation. The navigating bridge has outer wings, which are also removed when the ship is cleared for action. The gunnery trials created unusual interest, ami the representatives of several Powers were present thereat. 1 he trials served to dissipate conclusively many apprehensions that had formerly been entertained. For instance, there was considerable discussion as to what effect would be produced upon the gun crew in

the lower barbette of the fore and aft 12in guns when the weapons immediately above were discharged. In the first test the crew were withdrawn from the lower gun house when the upper pair was tired. It was found, however, that the roof of the lower house offered a complete protection against the blast, and that the crew could safely stay in the lower house without experiencing the slightest ill effects of the tremendous blast some five feet above their heads. It was also considered that the principle of setting the fore and aft guns one above the other, and at a distance of 36ft centre to centre, was objectionable, on the plea that the aiming of the upper guns would be interfered with by the flash from the guns just below, but here again practical trials dispersed any such objections.