The morning call., 1893-01-03
SPEED AND PITCH.
Problem in the MOnterey's
Construction.
A NEW TRIAL TRIP IN VIEW
She Is Most Satisfactory to the Builder
but Her Screw Was Changed to
Make Engine Power.

The United States steamer Monterey will
very likely go on another trial trip To-
morrow or next day. Since her last spin
over the bay several changes have been
made in her, and it is very likely that she
| will surpass all expectations.
The Union Iron Works people were highly
gratifed with her performance, although she
did not quite develop the required horse
power. On the last trip she developed 157
revolutions per minute, which gave an in
dieated horsepower, at the required steam
pressure, of 300. By the contract she must
reach 540O, and the builders have therefore
made few changes. The power lacking is
only two and two-tenths per cent. and this
can easily be made up.
The number of revolutions can easily be
increased by changing the pitch of the pro-
pellers. 1t has been stated that this would
reduce the speed of the vessel below the
fourteen knots that she attained on her last
trip. But that is by no means certain, be-
cause as the pitch is reduced the engine
speed will be increased from 157 revolutions
to at least 165. This difference In speed
should more than compensate for the loss OF
pitch, and according TO all calculating her
engines will develop at 165 revolutions per
minute 1900 horsepower and give speed
considerably over fourteen knots. Speed.
however, is not a deSideratum, and II she
develops the indicated horsepower her con-
tractors will have fu filled their duty.
The Monterey has been built in the most
ca reful and substantial manner and there is
every reason to believe that she will surpass
the terms of the contract but all propeller
wheels are a matter of speculation and
nothing can DO told about them until after
they are tried. All wheels have maxi
mum working point in spite OF The NEST
careful computation and there Is no telling
just what pitch OF certain wheel Will de-
veop the greatest speed.
The change In pitch of the Monterey's
wheel is so little as TO appear OF no c0nse-
quence, but with the increased speed OF the
engines, which it Is sure TO give. there is
reason to believe she will surprise all on her
next trip.
But nobody can predict with any degree
of certainty because propeller wheels are
mystery and Froude, the greatest living ex-
pert on propeller wheels, says: 1--WE have
been studying the wheel for TWENTY-FIVE
years and no man can tell from his draw
ings exactly what certain pattern Will do
al certain speed In spite of all so-called
improvements we are getting back to first
priDclples-the perfect screw.
In some mysterious manner the revenue
cutter Bear broke one of her anchor chains
yesterday, and was carried about two boat
lengths by the heavy tide. The starboard
chain broke without any warning, but the
officers were on deck in an instant, and had
the port anchor out before the vessel had
gone any distance. The tug Etna fshed
aroun for two hours. and finally captured
both anchor and chain.
The wrecking schooner Samson got off
the bar al Point Bonita. and was tOwed to
port Saturday night. She was so heavy
that she did not leak drop. ard it was APP
parent that the bay got the worst OF the
argument.
The ferry-boat Bay City was again in
trouble yesterday morning. When off Goat
| Island her engines commenced TO buck, and
refused to 60 either way. The vessel began
| TO drift, and the captain signaed for tug
| One of the red-stack boats went 10 her as
| sistance, and held her while the rudder was
transposed. after which she proceeded to
| San Francisco. where a couple of hours
were consumed in making repairs.
All day long crowds Of people hung
around the charred remains of the ferry
| boat TiburOn. All wanted TO look at the
blacKened hulk. All Sunday night the tug
Fearless was at work pumping the water
! out Of her hold and Yesterday morning she
| was towed out of the slip where she was
| burned and laid alongside the pier. The
hull is said 70 be all right, although sur
| vPy has not yet been made by the inspec-
tors. 1t is likely this will be done to-day.
The ire crew from the japanese training
| ship koDgo were on hand Sunday to help
extingush the flames. AS soon as the cap
| tam saw the volumes OF smoke from the
| Tiburon he ordered boat and a surgeon to
proceed TO the scene at once, but fortunately
| the services of the latter was not needed.
Those who were in danger extend their
thanks to the officers of the Kongo.
The United States steamer Alert came in
through the heads at O'clock p NJ yes
terday, but nothing could be learned about
her cruise, as she proceeded direct to Mare
Island.
On Sunday morning the United States
survey steamer Patterson went to Folsom
street wharf for repairs and yesterday the
work was commenced. She will be supplied
with three new masts and new jibbo0m,
as well as being overhaued generally. She
may receive new boiler tubes and some
alterations may be made in her engines, but
nothing can be told definitely, as survey
steamer Is always in commission and may
have to proceed 10 sea at moments notice.
Ensign Chaplin Of the Patterson went on
three N onths' leave of absence awaiting or
ders last Sunday. and yesterday his ship
mates received invitations TO his wedding,
which is to take place on January II. The
prospective bride is Miss Grace Caro- Seden
of Erie, Pa, and size is said to be very
beautiful and talented young lady.
The dead body of an unknown man was
picked up at Steuart-street wharf last even
ing. A boatman found the body drifting
among the piles and soon had line on him.
He then notified the police.
The schooner Chetc0 arrived yesterday
thirteen days from Suislaw River. She re-
ported that few days after leaving port q
heavy sea came ON board and carried away
| the deckload. 1t did considerable other
| damage of a minor nature and also smashed
| the vessels figuTehead.
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