New-York tribune., 1890-06-27
ESTIMATE OF THE CRUISER'S SPEED.
WHY THE VEsUvIUs MISSED THE wHcLE AFFAIF
AND DID NOT LEAD THE WAY.


The dynamite cruiser vesuvus returned from the
of the new cruiser Philadelpia's trial yester
day afternoon having received while lying at anchor
in the morning, a message from the Dolphin to the
effect that the trial was finished. The Vesuvius left
the Navy Yard here Tuesday morning, and an
clIorcd Tuesday night near sandy HOOK, close to
the Essex On Wednesday there a dense fog
In the early morning, which, however, cleared up 10
the norh west and east as the sun approached the
meridian. though at the south, the direction from
which the Philadelphia was expected to appear, II
stu hung over the water. The captain Of the
vesuvius began Immediately to get the stake or sight
boat, into order The Essex Petrel. Nina and Blake
were got In line though the fog prevented the
line being as true was desired
The Philadelphia stil not appearing, the captain OF
the vesuvius concluded that the trial would be de-
ierrcd till yesterday, the fog was too tick Tor the
anchored vessels tO he OF much use to the Philar
dclpha, he accordingly put into the Hook again
to be within reach Of telcgraphic communication
Willie he was there, the Philadelphia reached the
trystng place, ready for the start With everything
down on deck hand picked coal in the furnacerooms,
machinery adjusted like cOcswor. crew ready for the
great undertaking and smooth sea- 1t is not to be
wondered at that the Philadelphia needed not the abb
Of the Yesuvus the rrcgularty of the line OF
anchored warshpS but stccrcd compass courSewhere
the fog was too dense see, and made the beautiful
run de cflbcd by Inc lfiDunc reporter WIN "lOhc>oh
part Of it.
Tho captain OF the Vcsuvius Is OF the opinion that
10 = knots was the time made, but maintains that
no accurate estimate be arrived at till 1t Is hnaly
announced by the Naval ROard Deductions may be
made on account OF her spars not being shipped some
Of the officers at the Navy Yard maintaining that
when American gnnboats were running down Chinese
craft In the Pacific it was found that by taking down
all rigging except the lower maSts Increase OF one
knot hour gained. The warships that were
stationed along the course had poles sunk TO the
dopth Of the draft Of the Philadelphia 10
ascertain the force Of the current there
and their reports may work for against the
cruisers time. The fact that the Essey Petel, Nina,
Flake and Dolphin not in absolute straight line,
and that the racers may have dev1ated some
what She approached them through the fog, might
make a difference Of 100000 To the makers. and
wll In the opinion Of Of the officers. be looked
into. should the point be raised.
After the trial was over, the Nina, Blake and
Yc'uyius were Ordered to return to the Navy
Yard here. and the others went 10 join
the North Atlantic Squadron at Vineyard Haven,
whore ADMIRAL Gherarii will make up squadron
70 60 to Portland Me- 10 i9n in the Army y, OF the
rows last night about O'Clock, but AS she only
marked the third quarter of the Phadeipha's course
As the Nesuvlus making her Navy Yard pier.
through defect in the annunciator, the signal TO
hack was not answered. the result being that tho
bow of the cruiser cut through corner Of the pier
as II IL had been plcce OF cheese, but the vessel
Itself sustained no damage.
rIn -.ui oilcal source, n T. learned that the speed
~ tnc philgdrlphia was 10 81 knots At the maxi
mum or one-quarter knot less than estimated by
The Tribune reporter Yesterday At the beginning ~
rrr.i er nineteen Knots an hour b'it as she warmed
M 10 her work she sped along At 10 % knots TIKI.
viii give the Cramps a bonus Of $1,000 over and
above their contract price Of 81 l.33oOOo