Photo #: S-584-093 Preliminary Design Plan for a Scout Cruiser ... March 9, 1916 A preliminary design plan sent to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy in early March 1916 for consideration in meeting the General Board’s characteristics of 19 October 1915 for scouts. Following review by the General Board and other interested offices, and the incorporation of a few modifications, the Navy Department approved this design on 22 April 1916. Changes directed included provision of armor over the steering gear, its weight offset by removal of the two waist 6-inch guns seen here. This plan provides ten 6-inch guns and geared turbine machinery in a ship 550 feet long on the waterline, 55 feet 4 inches in beam, and with a normal displacement of 6,750 tons. The Omaha (Scout Cruiser # 4) class, the first four of which were built with Fiscal Year 1917 funds, was derived from this preliminary design. Note: The original document was ink on linen (black on white). The original plan is in the 1911-1925 "Spring Styles Book". U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 317KB; 2000 x 1085 pixels