The Duguesclin

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A New French Ironclad Of The Second Class The new French ironclad of the second class Duguesclin lately left Roche- fort for the high seas. The Duguesclin is, we believe, the most powerful vessel that has been built at Rochefort. It measures 276 feet over all, 267 feet at the water line, and 57 feet beam. Its average draught is 23 feet, the draught at the stern being 25 feet, and the displacement, calculated from the plans, is 5,869 tons. The vessel is brig-rigged, carrying 2,687 square yards of canvas. The compound engines having three a belt of armor extending to the water line, and having a thickness of 10 inches amidships, 7 inches at the bow, and 6 inches at the stop; the armor on the turret is 8 inches thick, and on the bridge 2 inches. The armament is composed of four 10 inch guns placed in the turret, six 6 inch in the battery, and two smaller ones on the forecastle. The Duguesclin has seven large, tight bulkheads. The plans were drawn by Mr Lebelin, of Dionne, one of our best naval engineers. A characteristic detail of this construction is that the armor rests on a bed of wood secured to the iron sides of the ship, and a sheathing of wood covered with copper extends a little above the water line over this armor. The ironclad is bound for distant stations. Its construction cost, material and work, about $1,050,000. — L'lllustra- tion. UNIVERSAL AIMING STAND. vertical cylinders were made in the works at Indret. There are eight boilers, with sixteen fireplaces, and two propeller screws. The Duguesclin is protected by Grand Medal of Honor. The Board of Judges appointed bythe Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, after a thorough examination into the state of the art, has recommended that the grand medal of honor be awarded to Thadde- us S. C. Lowe, of Nor- ristown, Pa., for his substantial improvements in the manufacture of water gas, and for his n u mero U s improvements in methods and appliances tor the utilization of water gas as a fuel for domestic and industrial purposes, and as an illuminating agent.

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