Show OUR NEW BATTLESHIPS By the reent commissioning of the tire new battleships North Caro Caro- Carolina lina hina and Washington the United States Navy its first ad ad- addition addition in capital ships since 1923 when the Colorado and West Vest Vir- Vir Virgina Virgina Virgina gina gina The new ships are only slightly larger than their predecessors of 18 years ago but there is is an im im- immenSe im- im menSe in their cost The older ships were of about tons and cost approximately 25 mill mil ion dollars each while the North Korth Carolina and Washington are arc are I ton toil ships and cost about 70 million dollars each Four more battleships of this class the tire South Dakota just launch launched ed the Indiana and Alabama are arc nearing completion and will be ready to join the fleet in a few months There are nrc IX 1 1 battleships included in the Mic th expansion expansion expansion sion program to give ive the nation a two ocean navy With 15 old bat bat- battleships still in service these will bring the total to ships The Tue new battleships are arc feet Jeet long with a designed desi ned speed of about 27 Knots Each has a main battery of nine inch 16 guns tap tap- capable able of firing a broadside of pro pro- projectiles 10 tonn or a dis dis- distance distance dis- dis tance d ci 20 miles Each will carry a complement of 75 officers and about 1200 men Some eaid caid of the comparative cost of a modern with those of former days may be gather gathered cd ed from the fact that the tire new Wash Vash ington costS costS' almost as much as all the battleships of the tire United States Navy at the time Spanish American War Var I I L I |