An item referred to the magazine The Army and Navy Journal reporting that commander Folger (1) chief of the US Bureau of Ordnance proposed to built a ram mortar vessel. The dimensions were to be 262’(load line)-275‘ (over all9 x 40‘(load line)-46‘ (maximum) x 17’ and a displacement of 2.700 ton. The engines were to deliver 6.225 ihp allowing a speed of 18 miles. The coal bunker capacity was 190 ton with a standard draught and with speed she had a range of 821 miles. The armour consisted of a deck thick 3” although above the boilers and engines on the highest part 5” and lower part 4” while the hull was protected by 3” thick armour stretching to 9’ below the surface. The armament was to consist of 4-9” breech loading mortars and 2 submerged guns of the Ericson design. The hull of the vessel was probably cigar-shaped and the armour of the superstructure and the sides into each other fluent.
Note
1. William Mathew Folger (19 May 1844 Massillon, Ohio-22 July 1928 Cornish, New Hampshire). Promoted to the rank of commander on 1 March 1885. He was between February 1890 and January 1893 temporarily promoted to the rank of commodore chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. Retired on 30 June 1905 in the rank of vice-admiral.
Note
1. William Mathew Folger (19 May 1844 Massillon, Ohio-22 July 1928 Cornish, New Hampshire). Promoted to the rank of commander on 1 March 1885. He was between February 1890 and January 1893 temporarily promoted to the rank of commodore chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. Retired on 30 June 1905 in the rank of vice-admiral.
