Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-08
The New Cruiser Charleston Goes on Her
Trial Trip.

:. san FRANCISCO, May 7th.-Tae passengers on
tne terry steamers from Oakland and Alameda,
tnls morning were treated to an unusual sight
as they crossed the bay, the United States
steamer Charleston being in plain view as she
steamed slowly I'D and down before the city
'front.'. The vessel presented very pretty sight,
s.la nna at lne same time strange one. The sun
iignt was renected from the polished steel and
prass, ana she sat like a sea-bird on the water
Dut tne fact that her masts had not been stepped
gave her a peculiar appearance. the only mast
sne carried Delng temporary spar rigged for
ward, on which 10 carry her signal lights.
The vessel left the dock at Mission Rock be-
lore o clock, II being the opinion that il would
taks some tlme 10 adjust her compasses, owing
70 the immense amount of steel in her compost
Lon ana the plg-lron she carried to sink her
deep enough in the water When the Pomona
now IN the Pacific Coast Steamship Companys
me, was tried II took four dsys to get her com
passes in working order, and it was Thought
that 1t would take at least one day to do the
same for the Charleston.
BY clock the wharves along the city front
began TO receive their quota of spectators desir-
Gus OF seeing the vessel before she proceeded
outside, and up TO II o'clock persons arrived at
the dock for the same purpose. The late-comers.
however, were doomed TO disappointment, The
adjustment of the compasses took much less
time than had been expected and at 9 o. clock
the vessels head was turned seaward the
Charleston at the time being in the channel
near Alcatraz Island. Less than half an hour
later the teiephonic bell in the Merchants Ex-
change rang, and Immediately after answering
Ii the clerk Losted upon the board the an
nouncement that the Charleston was off the
outer signal station passing out. The bar at the
time was breaking badly, and the wind was
blowing stffly from the south. The observer
noted the TACT. however, that she behaved ad-
mirably. Much surprise was expressed at the
Excnange at her early departure, the belief
having been prevalent that she would not sail
until this afternoon at the earliest During her
Trip o IND the harbor she was repeatedly sa
luted by the various craft anchored in the
stream, and the successful departure of the first
steel cruiser built on the Pacific coast is the
only topic of conversation to-day along the
waterfront.
The Naval Board that departed on the Charles
ton consisted OF Commodore Benham, Captain
Glass, Naval Constructor Feaster, Chief En-.
gineers X. l.. Harris, +. A. Wilson and W. S.
Smith; Passed Assistant Engineers F. J Hoff-
man, A. B. Bates, w. B. Dunning, E T. Warbur-
ton; Engineers ]. n. Hollis, G. n. McElroy, ]. NJ
Rickrell, c. w. Dyson and w. T. Darraeh
The vessel is commanded by CAPTAIN Charles
NJ. Goodall. with J. Fields as First officer and
Martin chester as Second Officer All three
were selected from those in the employ of the
Pacific Coast Steamship Company. All told
there are over one hundred and fifty men on
board the Charleston, including sailors and
those IN the engineers and stewards depart
ments, and all are picked men, There are
twenty-five walters and others under Steward
Parks, and an immense amount of stores were
taken on board yesterday John H. Mentz port
steward OF the Occidental and Oriental Steam
ship Company. was intrusted with the arrange
ments for the feeding of those who take part in
the trial trip.
II the present trip is not a success other trips
Will be made until the vessel meets with the ap-
proval of the Naval Board. She will then be
taken to Mare Island where her masts will be
stepped. rigging adjusted and guns and ammun-
milton taken aboard. The vessel will then
be ready for her crew and prepared to carry
the flag of the United States abroad a good ex-
ample OF what the new navy of the United
States will be.
Captain Goodall will have instructions to stop
at no port unless necessary. All his instruc-
tons, of course, come from the Union Iron
Works. for the Government as yet has no official
control of the vessel, and will have none until
the trial trip shows satisfactory results and the
cruiser is accepted If the first trial trip is not
satisfactory there will be others. The York
town, built by the Cramps at Philadelphia had
four trials and the Vesuvius six If the cruiser
on her trip meets any steamers by which news
may be sent to the nearest port Captain Good
all has orders to avail himself of the opportun-
ity.
Secretary Gum will be the chief representa-
tive of the cruisers builders on the trip Irving
NJ. Scott is East and Henry T. Scott will not be
able to go. The entire party will number fully
two hundred. The Onion Iron Works managers
naturally look forward to the event with some
anxiety. Ihey say, however, they have no red
son to fear that it will not be successful in eyery
way.
OFF SANTA CRUZ.
SANTA CRUZ May 7th.-Smoke has lust been
seen ten miles out. 1t is supposed to be the
Charleston. The weather is haZy, Crowds are
watching tor the cruiser.