The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-11-22

she BEATS THE WORLD.
The --latest Addition TO the United
States Navy Breaks all Records
On An Unofficial Trial Trip
Under For ced Draught

The new commerce destroyer Columbis
the government course from Cape Ann,
Mass, TO Cape Porpoise, Me-, Wednesday,
with gratifying results. Under forced draught
she developed steed of 22.s7 knots PEI
hour, aud under natural draught 20. 2 knots
This means that the official trial.
which occurs next week when
the vessel will be pushed for every
ounce sf energy and every particle of speed
that there is IN her, she will easily make 2s
knots and earn premium for her builders
William ram Il Sons OF Philadelphia, OF
close upon ti00, 900. Her contract specifica
tions call for q knots, and the builders are
entitled TO alfemium oi $4,000 for every
quarter knot in e. cess.
The length OF the course is 43.A knots aro
II was covered in hours and Is minutes.
which includes u minutes exfepded in
making the turn OF the eastern end OF the
road. This Is the fastest time ever made BY
an American ship Of war and when the ex.
haustiveness of the test and length Of the
course is considered 1t is unsurpassed in the
history of the naves OF the world.
Seven.eights Of the trip was made under
natural draught. The lime OF the trip up
the course was u little over two hours, 20a
knots All hour being the average. A very
wide turn was made ard at $40 y. IN. the
line was crossed on the record breaking
journey. In the meantime Cramps chief
engineer, John Patterson. had completed
all preparations for forced draught, the con
dition which develops every atom of exer.
tion that can be got out Of the boilers and
machinery. Tie picked force Of machin
lists, engineers firemen and Goa! passers
who had carefully prepared themselves for
the four hours ordeal they were to under.
go. were shut out from all communication
from the upper portion of the ship. Every
opening through which air might pass, ex-
cept the blowers, were carefully closed and
under no circumstances, unless IL be the
illness Of man, would Engineer Patterson
consent to the opening Of even the smallest
hatchway.
The three immense engines, which turned
the shafts connected with the three screws
were working at speed Of l3+ revolutions
Il minute. sOon after the starting line was
crossed this speed was increased to 1856 revo.
iutions and later on the maximum velocity
of 1876 was reached. Steadily the Conmbia
ploughed her way through the water. her
speed being almost equal to that Of the
a. erage railroad train.
There came display OF excitement when
the seventh buoy was passed and the cruiser
was making her last desperate effort. Every.
body on deck stood iirnepiece in hand
eagerly awaiting the whistle which was 10
announce that the goal line had been cross
ed The moment the sound was heard there
was a general scene OF rejoicing among the
men who had participat ed in the greatest
speed effort ever shown by a warship.
The feature Of this remarkable run
was the steadiness of the ship. Old naval
men on board say thev never saw vessel
behave better. The sea was not more than
ordinarily disturbed by the swift passage OF
the huge cruiser and there was ali entire
absence If either rolling or pitching This,
according to the experts, is due TO The fine
ness of the lines on which the ship was con-
structed.
The three engines developed about q, 600
horse power, which is 900 less than their
estimated capacity. The engineers clam
that the engines are capable of lSS re, olu-
tons minute, which velocity would pro-
dnce speed OF not less than % knots an
hour, making the Columbia absolutely
faster than anything afloat.