Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-05-11
sac PROVES A DANDY.
The Chnricst on Answers ali the Re-
cuirements and More.


SANTA BARBARA, May 10.-The cruiser
Charleston began to show her colors to-
day. She was prevented by fog from
attempting the four-hour Government
run, but put 10 sea during the afternoon,
and attained an estimated speed of
seventeen knots, with her propellers
making one hundred and one revolutions
tons to the minute. 1t was not until
II 80 in the afternoon that the cruiser
was in readiness to leave her anchorage,
and there WIS some doubt expressed
whether, at that hour, she would be able
to steam far enough up or down the chan.
mel to Ike position for the official
run. 1t had,been determined to run down
the channel for about eighty miles, ex-
tending from Point Conception south to
point below Ventura, in order to accu-
raiely determine the distance covered,
apart from the records made
by the log on the ship. The
vessel turned her course north, toward
Point Conception but proceeded only
two or three miles, when dense bank of
fog settled down upon the channel,
which, for time, com peeled the ship to
move slowly; her whistles blowing
regularly and her warning bell being
less en- the speed. After proceeding
about thirty miles, the ship rounded TO,
and was headed down the Channel.
| through the mist and the engines were
allowed to 60 ahead at full speed. The
revolutions OF the propellors had
and were gradually increased to
| - - ~ xr-l,ob toa hol {
hours run was made, when, with every
thing working smoothly, the steam pres
sure gradually increased. The throb-
bling strokes of the engines became
more rapid, until maximum OF
10l revolutions was scheduled by
one of the propelling engines, while
the other propeller at the same time at
tanned speed OF 103 revolutions to the
minute. Beyond the quickening sounds
| from the engine-room there was little to
indicate to those on deck that the
cruiser was beginning to demonstrate
her capacity for high speed. The corps
CT naval engineers were quietly taking
the automatic record, which shows the
steam pressure of the two main and ten
auxiliary engines of the ship,
and which, after careful computation,
disclosed the horsepower developed.
TIE members of the naval board
watched the conduct of the cruiser from
the bridges. and from the freebos,ds fore
and aft, while others noted the record
made by the log Indication. When
the announcement was made that
the ship was moving at seventeen
knots per hour, it was regarded
rs impossible, as it exceeded the highest
hopes entertained for the cruiser and,
provided that she would maintain the
same comparative rate under forced
draught and her fully developed
horsepower it promised to place
her among the speediest of hel
class in any navy. No official
test could be made of the speed, and il
will not go on The records, but it was ac
copied as an approximate test of the
speed of the Charleston with one hun
dred revolutions Of her engine, and bel
estimated development of 5000 horst
power. During the highest develop
ment shown of the cruisers
speed, she cut her way through
water in a thoroughly clean manner. and
gave evidence that her lines are perfectly
| fast for the speed it is now felt certain
that she will obtain during her trial.
Both engines were worked smoothly,
and gave assurance that, under the high
steam pressure TO be developed by the
forc3d draugnt, they will be in condition
for the final test.
The cruiser will leave to morrow morn
ing aad, provided the weather is clear, it
is confidently expected that four-hours'
test will be made. The builders still
hold to the view that second or third
trial may be necessary, as the firemen
on board have not undergone trial in
feeding the boilers with forced draught,
and the machinery may not yet be
entirely repaired fer the demands which
will be made upon it.
AS to the final outcome they ale now
free to declare their teliaf that the ship
will be able, after one or two trials, to
meet the full requirement. made by the
Government. Chief Engineer r. L..
Harris, serving as o member of the
Naval Examining Board, has been
incapacitated from serving on the Board
through illness, and was taken on shore
to-day for treatment. Under the orders
issued by Commodore Benham, Chief
Engineer F. A. Wilson has been appoint
ed to fill the vacancy created on the
Board, while Chief Engineer A.
Kirby has been appointed as member
OF the Board of Engineers to test the
horse power development OF the engines
on the Charleston.
Cowboy VS.. Indian.