The Portland daily press., 1889-12-25
THE YoRKToWN's FIRST BATTLE.
She Trlumphed Against a Gale
Which Blew Croat Guns.

New YORK, December 24.-A Times
special from Lisbon says: The United
States cruiser Yorktown steamed into the
Tagus today (Monday) and anchored near
the Chicago, the Atlanta and the Boston. She
was exactly two days behind the other YES
sells of the squadron. She has just weather
ed heavy gale, in which her seagoing quail
tiles we're put to severe test. She behaved
admirably. For TWO days and two nights
Commander Chadwick and his men were
compelled to- display their scamanship.
When the gale was at its hight the steel
steering quadrant broke in two places, and
the little cruiser, falling off rapidly, was re-
peatedlv swept by the heavy seas that
tumbled over her. The heavy drags rigged
overheard at the early approach of the storm
quadrant, the only accident which happened
was the loss of whaleboat. The cruiser
stopped at Fayal two days. She recovered
lost time by running from Fayal to this port,
distance OF $50 miles, in three days. The
average daily run was 3l6 miles. Upon
leaving Boston sailing orders were
issued by Admiral Walker. re-
quiring the four cruisers to keep together
The formation adopted was that of a
cross, the Chicago leading, with the Boston
on her starboard quarter, the Atlanta on her
port, and the Yorktown last, 400 yards be-
hind. At sunset the formation was changed,
the Yorktown moving up to within double
distance of the Atlanta's port quarter. For
tue first five days beautiful weather was ex.
perienced, light easterly winds prevailing
until the latter part of the fifth day, when
the wind suddenly shifting to the southwark
developed gradually into fierce gale. The
heavier displacements of the Chicago, At
lanta and Boston enabled them to keep posi-
tions in the cross, regardless of the heavy
seas. The Yorktown gradually began to
fall behind, and soon lost sight of the rest
of the fleet. Commander Chadwick wisely
decided to heaye to. The collision mat was
rugged, and the cruiser rode stern to the sea.
The waves met and part over the sharp stern
as readily as if it had been the bow. 1t was
while riding in this fashion that the acci-
dent to the quadrant of fiye-inch steel oc-
Cured. AS counter drag, a whaleboat with
plug drawn, was lowered. As it filled with
water, it was paid away on 6-inch hawser
The hawser snapped and away went the
boat. A big sea caught the cruiser, poured
into the forecastle, and swept away chests
and ladders, but doing no other damage.
The cruiser carried herself splendidly during
this exciting period. The storm lasted
moderated on Saturday sufficiently to allow
the Yorktown to resume her course, temper
ary repairs having in the meantime been
made to the steering gear. Westerly gales
continued to follow her for the next four
days, On Wednesday Fayal was sighted
and the cruiser came to anchor at Horta.
Permanent repairs were made to the steer.
ing gear and coal was taken aboard. Two
days later she sailed for this port, favored
once more with pleasant weather and
smooth sailing No special effort was made
by the squadron on the run over to economize
fuel. The average daily consumption
by the Chicago for all purposes was
35 tons, of the Boston and Atlanta, 80
tons aud of the Yorktown, while running
200 knots per day, 10 tons. On the run from
Fayal to Lisbon the Yorktown burned 30
tons daily. 1t has been demonstrated d to the
satisfaction of everybody tnat the eight knot
speed is not economical for the Yorktown.
for the pressure Of the triple expansion en-.
gines gets too low in the final cylinder. The