Modern ships of war

by Sir Edward J. Reed; Edward Simpson

Name of Ship.	Displace- ment.	Indicated Horse-power.	Speed.	Length.	Breadth.	Draught of Water.	Greatest Thickness of Armor.	Heaviest Guns carried.
	Tons.		Knots.	Feet.	Feet. In.	Feet. In.	Inches on Sides.
Duilio	11,140	7,700	11.1	340	64 4	26 8	22	4 of 101 tons.
Dandolo	11,200	7,700	11.2	340	64 4	27	22	4 ” 101 ”
							Inches on Towers.
Italia	13,900	18,000	18	400	74	27 8	19	4 ” 103 ”
Lepanto	13,550	18,000	18	400	73 4	27 8	19	4 ” 103 ”
Re Umberto	13,250	19,500	18	400	74 9	28 7	19	4 ” 106 ”
Sicilia	13,250	19,500	18	400	74 9	28 7	19	4 ” 106 ”
Sardegna	13,250	19,500	18	400	74 9	28 7	19	4 ” 106 ”
Lauria	11,000	10,000	16	328	67	27	14	4 ” 103 ”
Morosini	11,000	10,000	16	328	67	27	14	4 ” 103 ”
Doria	11,000	10,000	16	328	67	27	14	4 ” 103 ”

The manner in which the towers and guns of the Italia type are arranged is shown in section and in plan, which are taken for convenience from the works of Mr. King and of Lord Brassey, and were prepared, I believe, from official drawings.[32]

SECTION OF THE “ITALIA.”

Among her unarmored vessels, in addition to a large number of old and slow small craft, Italy possesses some fast modern war-ships of the second and lower classes which are deserving of notice. In the first place, she has eight steel vessels ranging from 2500 tons to 3600 tons, which Lloyds describe as “deck-protected cruisers,” with a total absence of any justification, I think, excepting that other people have doubtless done so before.[33]

There certainly are people who for business or other purposes would call anything a “protective deck,” but why these eight vessels should be removed from the category of unarmored ships, and constitute a class by themselves, is more than I can imagine even the slightest reason or justification for. I do not know any modern naval gun which will not penetrate an inch steel plate when presented to it as it is in the curving down decks of these vessels. It appears to me a trifling with serious matters to try and induce naval authorities, officers, and seamen to believe that these vessels, and similar ones wherever they are to be found, have any pretensions to be regarded as “protected.”

DECK PLAN OF THE “ITALIA.”