New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-05
COAL CONSUMPTION BY THE NEW NAVY
THE RECORD OF ORDINARY CRUISING A FAIR
TEST OF It's PROBABLE EXPENSE.


TEST OF ITS PROBABLE EXPENSE.
Wasbin A. Dec 4 (SpecaD.-The statements re
Gently mac in these dispatches showing the capabi
tics ~ some Of the now cruisers coaconsumers have
created a small sensation among people hero who are
interested I'm keeping up with Navy matters The
subject has been discussed in the Navy Department
from the point Of view OF who, being ordinarily
well informed have made discovery. The figures
given in the dispatches have excited some Incredibly
because they greatly at variance with the estimates
made under this head by the designers of the ships
For instance the extreme coal consumption in twenty
four hours Of the forelm-dcsgned Baltimore about
which great deal has been said as the fastest warshp
anoat is given in table OF endurance published
officially as 1856 while the steam log of the snip on
her trial trips shows the amount 10 exceed 300 TONS
The endurance table Of the little sunboat yorktown
places her extreme coal consumption in twenty-four
hours at Gil, while her steam log shows that IN
actual service the boat Will fall far short Of 100
tons.
There is alarm among some Of the wellwishers OF
the Navy, due to a feeling that the publication OF
these extreme outside figures will create the impression
that the new ships are going TO be- from their great
cCalconsming capacity costly luxures TO the country
calculated that If the Baltimore Is 10 burn 3Oo
tons under full head and the Yorktown 90 or 100 tons
it is going to take 81 400 day 10 run the fist and
from $3.50 to $500 day for the smaller ship and
these rather startling figures are thought likely TO tend
10 frighen Congressman out OF their present liberal
disposition oward the Navy Secretary Tracy thinks
the publication Of such figures as these IS not far,
because. as. says. the ships will not up 10
their full capacity more than two or three times In
their lifetime and their coal consumption In ordinary
cruising VIII exceed one eighth or onc-tenth the
extreme quantity. Tho endurance tables give the
Baltimore speed of ten knots. or twenty-five tons
a day and the Yorktown the same speed on eleven
tons and while actual tests show the tables to be
untIustworthy, the figures arc thought 10
nearly correct say twenty or twenty-five
per cent too low The only record Of ordinary cluisns
made by the large vessels Is from the Atlanta
and Boston. which have made little runs to the West
Indies within year The steam log shows an ave age
consumption of twcNty- seven tons day. against a
maximum OF eighiyh tons, gwen In the endurance
table but this f. probably somewhat above the ave age
Of these ships when they have 10 West Indian revolt
tiOls 10 look after.
1t is therefore apparent that, while the coal qucs
lion Is Of increasing importance In the Navy, IL
is not be Judged by the extreme capacity OF the
great coal caicrs that being constructed. II i
remarked that the secret ays recommendation, in his
report Just out, for ships j. dir tcd 10 ve's,ls
OF the battle ship" type, for coast and harpor de-
fence. which will not re large coal consumers, by
reason Of the nature OF their duties: though having
great capacity when under way in emergencies.