New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-19
THE DOLPHIN'S HOT JOURNAL
ANOTHER TRIAL TRIP UNCoMpLETED.
RETURNING TO THE CITY AFTER RUNNING RIGH.
TEEN MILES,

TEEN MILES.
! Henry Steers and Samuel Archibald, of the
Naval Advisory Board; Captain Belknap, Commander
Evans and Herman Winters Of the board recently ap-
pointed by Secretary whitney; Chief Engineer A. j.
Kiersted and James w. Thompson U. s. N; John Roach
and two sons c. A. Weed, and John Roachs chief en-
gineer Edward Farron. board the Dolphin yes
erday when she made her fourth trip under the drec
ton OF Secretary Whitney. As two OF the
previous trials the vessel met with mshap.
On the first trial trip she broke q
steel shaft. :" told you So" said Mr. Roach who had
urged the use OF iron for the shafts when specid
cations shown him. He added at the time: "I
have made iron shafts for 100 vessels and one
them broke On the second trip everything went right
and the Board with whom Mr. Roach had contracted
accepted the ship
subsequently Mr. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy
desired another trial under Board Of his own appoint
ment before paying for the vessel and he named the
three above mentioned. On the third trial the high
pressure crankpin heated, and OF the
to be brought stop vessel had been for
nearly two hours answering every requirement. and
at one time developing 24O0 horse power or 100 moro
than the board expected. On the trip yesterday tho
after crakpn journal became heated after the vessel
had run eighteen miles, and r Roach determined to re-
turn to the city.
Chief Engineer Kiersted was seen at his room In the
Astor House by TRIBUNE reporter after the return of
the Dolphin which arrived of East Tweny-sxth-st at
o'clock.
81 was on board OF the Dolphin to-day" he said "as
the Expert Of the Naval Board take her horse power
We went up the East River slowly, the men In
charge OF the boat being occupied in building up
their fires to have full head OF steam when
we reached Execution Light. where the be-
gin. About am. when a mile this side OF Harts
Island, the vessel suddenly stopped Mr.. Roaeh's
had discovered that the after cranll-pn heated
consultation held between them and tho members Of
the Naval Board and it decided strip the crank.
ol
dispirted and took their time IT, The trouble
doubtedly due TO the fact that the the bolts
through the head OF the crank had been screwed down
too tightly IL was after p. m when everything was
ready again. There another consultation, tho
Dolphin headed toward Hell Gate. After running
three or four miles she put about and
distance beyond Execution Light, and then returned to
NewYork and anchored off East Twent The test
intended to demonstrate her capablty of sustain
ing 2,300 horsepower for six consecutive hours. She
fast boat and has fulfilled the requirements Of speed
with much less horsepower This accident OF heating
the crank pin is liable to happen to any engine, and
might do so to engines built by John Elder who built
those Of the Esmerslda, which spoken OF much"
The impression has been given out and generally pre-
walls that Mr. Roach the builder OF the Dolphin and
other vessels for the Navy is responsible for the model
and the speed and for the engines and tho
horse power they develop. This is an error.
Under recent regulations tho Government officials
design the model and plan the engines, and the
is held responsible for the material and work.
manshp only. This not formerly the custom and
hence those ignorant Of the change hold the contractor
responsible for designs made by the Governments
engineers. The breaking OF the stcel shaft
is an illustration of how the contractor is
sometimes compelled to put in material
against his judgment and yet under his contract is
held responsible for breaking the breaking Of
the steel shaft OF the Dolphin her first trip iron
shafts have been put her. and steel shafts which had
already been put vessels under construction the
Atlanta and the Boston, have since been taken and
iron shafts substituted shafts will also be put in
the Chicago, nearly ready to launch