The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-25
Il II T. N Av Y
Preliminary Trial Trip Of tho Iron-Ciad
ke0kuk.

Preliminary Trial Trip of tho Iron-Ciad
ke0kuk.
KRoxux, 2--whitncy clad bat,cry-got steam up
early yesterday nng for the purpose o.
making = trial trip down the bay touching the way
the Navy Yard Admiral Gregory and other officers,
besides several ladies' board about half past
O'Clock at which time crowds Of people began
sernblng the adjoining wharvea To the first
Of the strongest looking aoat The interest
sttsehng her n,istory evoluons heightened by
tho hints TO "top ncaviness' which had crcu
lated days smong persons Of a nautical
persuasion. 80 much mark, and little
ship work below II, did indeed seem liable To oscillation
Of disagreeable character and the engineers who
all under seventy. ana Admiral Gregory who stated
that be felt that the forthcoming
experiment would relieve the uneasincss of several
people
the engines were permitted TO drive Us ahead and 10 two
minutes afterward tho Keokuk clear Of the
wharf, presenting . spectacle OF the most sin
gular nature Parties shore really sbrickcd with
ssonishnent and the ladies', Who listening TO this
Arguments In favor Of the sinking qualities q the
From twelve 70 efteen pounds Of steam suced to move
gradually into the river where progress stopped
TO hitch the boats which remained astern Captain
Rhind took hts position the turrct beside pilot
and ordered the ship About heen POUNDS q steam
then applied. and The Kcokuk moved forward again
again The third tho best from twenty
twenty pounds u steam carried but, owing
eth tide and the newuesS OF everything our progre9e
exceedingly SLOW Tor . while. The river filled
with lee Aud, 70 make matters worse the old disease
the oaming u the boilers, almost paralyzed the
chncry. We kcpt on, however beading for the Navy
Yard. and brought sdc by side with the
sylvan Grove, which that her passengers
might inspect the "MonHor" the New York pub.
NC viii persist In calling the last, 81 well az
the FIRST, iron clad. Absoast OF Gfecnpcint full
twenty i've pounds Of steam failed TO do anything
the foaming Of the boilers. which became
serious that Captain Rod concluded 10 make the
regular trip, definite result could be attained IL
should be observed that tho object Of the intended "Trip
merely the speed Of the vessel her ordnaaoe
appliances embracing hitherto untred principle. II
would he rossibe tell how fast she could whom
working trim by running ber with tho boilers thick with
foam and II therefore determined 70 keep steam
UP At tho Navy Yard wharf until the "crust" q the
boilers Is cradcaied
though was done however, TO show that the Keokuk
Is not TOO top heavy 70 buoyanty through tbs
water and that her engines, steering apparatus pro
peers, &C. good. ropeyarn did not snap on tho
bref journey defects discovered 10 any of the
various attributes u the vessel Before she has been
brought face face with enemy this fact and her
speed, all that be repeated u her The theory
which she u constructed No and the differences
" opinion 70 tho qualities of her armament and arnor
and conflicting thst any attempt 70 pase
judgment her merits just must be mere gucsswork
w ship q her share has been under IRE. and the
scientific world will await With Interest her conduct ia
hatile.