The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-17
The 0intial Trip Of the Columbia
MAS Spoiled,
BUT SHE MADE 4 GOOD SHOWING
Despite the Fact That the Weather Was
Against Her - Everything Was I'm
Readiness for speedy Trip. but 1t
Was Useless 10 Attempt 1t Yesterday.

BOSTON, NOV it.---lne ~. >. >. Ooiuhi-
bia started from Boston yesterday morn
ing to have her tiaI trip. The weather
was stormy, and before she had covered 10
miles OF her course she was forced 10 re-
turn to port.
The vessels which had been placed In
position to mark the course dragged their
anchors. making il impossible for the new
cruiser to distinguish the way prepared
for her.
The crew of the Columbia spent Wednes-
day preparing for the great trial Of speed.
They got the specially mined coal from the
bunkers and placed it In position near the
furnaces. The picked men, who were Sc
lected to fire during the run, were given
day Of absolute rest, 80 that they were in
perfect condition to do their utmost
Ths anchor Of the Columbia was weighed
at s o'clock. A good breeze was blowing
then, but Mr.. Craup decided to have the
trial and headed the ship for Tha,chers
island. The run down was made at a
good speed. and as the ship neared the
U. s. s. Dolphin, which marked the start,
she was steaming good 20 knots.
Gave the Fires q Chance.
But the fires under the boilers were un.
satisfactory, and before Mr.. Cramp woald
consent to start over the course the ship
took vide sweep to windward to allow
the fires TO get in good condition. The
wind had been increasing ia velocity all
the time, and was now blowing 80 miles
al hour. But she had il well on the quar-
ter as she bore down OH the Dolphin sec-
ond time, and her mighty engines were
sending her throu gh the water at trhe
over % knots an hour.
At l0:45 Captain Sargent gave the en-
gineer the bell for full speed, and the
Columbia sped psst the Dolphin. The
three engines were making l39, l3S and l33
revolutions, respectively. and the ship
trembled under the mighty strain. About
three miles beyond the Dolphin the little
tug Iwans marked the course, and past
this the Columbia dashed at 1881.
The ships speed was now % 81 knots.
The u. 8. S. Kearsarge was the next buoy
to pass aud her spars were clearly visible
right down 10 leeward The Columbia
was fast gathering speed. She steered
straight for the old ship ahead.
Declared on.
The Kearsarge was within couple Of
miles when Captain Sargent discovered
she had lost her position in the course
He then found THAI the Columbia was
some two miles OF the straight course,
owing 10 having headed directly for the
Kearsarge. When Mr.. Cramp heard 1t he
communicates tia fact 10 the naval Loald,
and the trial was DECLARED OF
The Kear.args had been unable to hold
her anchorage. owing Co the strong wind,
and had drsgged q couple Of miles TO lee
ward
The Columbia headed for Boston In the
teeth Of gale. A big sea was running
and the ship was wet fore and aft. Mr.
Cramp says the trisl will occur when the
wind abates, probably on Saturday.
Mr.. Cramp gave startling piece OF iu
formation as 70 the speed the ship attained
at her preliminary trial The Official
speed published at that Zine was % 81
knots, but now il is known that the last
seven knots Of tie course were covered at
a rate Of speed equal to "A 1-2 knots.
Mr.. Cramp stated that he was satisfied
with the ships behavior up to the time OF
her giving up the tri al. He believed she
would have made remarkable run.