Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-17
THE BALTIMORE's FAST RUN.
Taken to be an Indication OF the SUI
periority Of American Plans.

The successful trial trip of the new cruiser
Baltimore last week, the particulars Of which
were given at some length in yesterdays STAR,
forms the main topic of conversation in naval
circles Just at present and is taken by most
authorities to be an indication of superiority
of American plans and workmanship over those
produced in foreign countries. A comparison
of the Baltimore's achievements with those Of
similar vessels built across the water gives the
credit altogether to the former.
OPINION OF COMMANDER GLASS
Commander Glass, who was a member of the
trial board, called on Secretary Tracy yester-
day and talked enthusiastically about the trial.
He thinks that the good results obtained with
the Charleston and Baltimore are to be attrib-
uted solely to the superior excellence of skill
and workmanship of American shipbuiders
and mechanics. He finds that the lines of the
hulls are more nearly perfect, the skins
smoother, and the boilers, engines and ma
chinery of such excellent material and work.
manshlp that contrary to the practice else
where 1t was possible in the cases of the new
American cruisers to show better result and
higher speed at the end of several hours hard
running than at the beginning. Another note
worthy fact was the comfortable condition of
the fire and engine rooms. duplicate
crew had been provided with the expectation
OF relieving the tiremen in two-hour turns but
after the first two hours of the run the first
watch refused to quit work and insisted on
running the ship throughout the entire four
hours trip.
ACCOUNTING FOR THE FAST RUN.
Notwithstanding the favorable reports
already received of the vessels run, there
are people ready at this time to decry the per-
formance. Excuses are offered to account for
the nigh speed. One person said Yesterday
that the vessel was light when she made her
best run, having burned up most of her coal
the day before, while on another side is heard
a claim that the contractors contrived to shove
overheard during the night good part of the
pig iron placed on the ship to compensate for
the weight of guns, &c. To account for this
the idea Is advanced that the officers of the
trial board were asleep or else not in a condi-
ton to distinguish the movements of those
around them. Such libel on the integrity of
the members OF the board does not meet with
any approval, OF course. at the Navy depart
ment, but the idea has already gone abroad
nevertheless.
IN CONTRADICTION OF THIS
is the statement made by Commander Glass
that the vessel was loaded down with pig iron
to point even in excess of her draught when
fitted with guns and stores, and amply demon
strated her strength. Her seaworthiness, he
said, was particularly excellent, and under full
speed-or twenty knots-the vibrations were
very slight, the greatest vibrations being about
the forecastle and pilot house, but not notice
able on the lower decks.
SECRETARY TRACY CONCENTRATES Ex-sEcRE-
TARY WHITNEY.
Secretary Tracy yesterday sent the following
telegram to ex-Secretary Whitney:
Permit me to congratulate you ON the mag
niticent performance OF the Baltimore"
Ex-sEcBETARY wHITNEys RESPONSE.
In response to the telegram of congratulation
sent yesterday by Secretary Tracy to his pred
ecessor on the successful trial of the new
cruiser Baltimore the following dispatch was
received this morning at the Navy depart
ment:
LESox, Mass, September To-
To the Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
Many thanks for your kind dispatch. / have
feltcertain the result would be satisfactory, as
do also that you will continue TO raise the stand
ard and in time register much higher results than
these. " &. WHITNEY