An item referred to the Army and Naval Journal reporting that the US Congress changed an already by the Senate approved law dealing with the classification based on the displacement and naming of warships. Ships with a displacement of above 5.000 were classified as 1st class and to be named after the states in the USA. Between 3.000-5.000 tons were 2nd class and named after towns in the USA. Ships above the 3.000 tons were commanded by captains. Between 1.000-3.000 tons were 3rd class, commanded by commanders and named after events of persons which played a role in the maritime history of the USA. Below the 1.000 tons were 4th class, commanded by lieutenant commanders and lieutenants to be named after lakes and rivers in the USA.
