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* VOL. 39. CLEVELAND, NOVEMBER, 1909. NEW YORK No. 20 Fleet Colliers Mars, Vulcan and Hector HE September number of the REVIEW contained a_ descrip- tion of the fleet colliers Ves- tal and Prometheus building in the New York and Mare Island- navy yards. We are fortunate this month in being able to present an even more complete description of the fleet colliers Mars, Vulcan and. Hector, built by the Maryland Steel Co, Sparrows Point, Md. The Hector, last tons dead weight each, at a cost not exceeding $525,000 each; and the sum of $1,575,000 is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the pur- chase of the colliers above authorized." As no ships acceptable to the De- partment were offered, a circular was prepared soliciting bids on three ships to comply with certain requirements of the Department but to be to bid- U. S. Freer Cottrers Mars, VuLcCAN AND HECcToR. Burtt py MARYLAND STEEL Co. of the three, completed her contract trials last month and with results equally as creditable as her sister ships. Especial interest attaches to these ships entirely apart from the features of their design. They were built under the act of May 13, 1908, authorizing the purchase of three colliers, the exact wording of the act being as follows: "The Secretary of the Navy, in his 'discretion, is hereby authorized to purchase three new steam colliers of American registry, having a cargo cat- tying capacity of approximately 7,200 \ der's own design and under standard specification rules, and which the De- partment 'bound itself to purchase on _ completion of satisfactory trials if otherwise in conformity with the speci- fications. The circular contained the following proviso:-- "Tt is to be distinctly understood that the vessels must be constructed complete at the bidder's own risk and expense, and that no payment what- ever will be made on any vessel by the Government until its completion and successful trial by the Navy De- partment, when, upon approval by the secretary of the navy, the whole price will be due and payable, except a re- servation of 5 per cent to cover a six months' guarantee against defects; such reservation, less cost of making good defects, to be payable at the ex- piration of six months after delivery." As to delivery the circular stipula- ted: "The maximum time allowed for completion and beginning of trial trip will be limited by the Department to 12 months for one vessel, and not more than one month more for each additional vessel after the first awarded to the same bidder; and no bids will be considered which propose to exceed these limits." The trials provided for consisted of a 24-hour run at full speed, loaded, at not less than 12 knots. Although coal consumption was to be deter- mined during trials, there was no stipulated limit in the specifications. 'General Description of Vessel. The circular specifications called for a single deck collier with forecastle, bridge, and poop, with double bottom ballast tanks and upper wing ballast tanks formed in the triangular space between the deck and the side out- board of the cargo hatches, or other equivalent type of carrying arrange- ments which will prevent undue stiff- ness when the vessel is empty in ballast. To have a continuous sea speed of 12 knots loaded with 7,200 tons of cargo coal, 300 tons of bunker coal, 50 tons of reserve feed water, 20 tons of drinking water, 50 tons for stores and crew. With the above load the mean draught must not exceed 24 ft. 6 in, and the, tee