The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-08
Proves Satisfactory 10 Baildsrs Of
the Marblehead.
THE CRUISER SHOWS UP WE'LL.
she Made an Average of IS OF Knots an
Hour, Which May lie Little Le-
duced when Tidal Reduction Is Fig
ured out-she Wins Handsome Bonus.

triumph Tor Yankee shipOullders ana ue-
signers was scored on Long Island sound
when the new Marblehead crossed the
finish line Of her official trial trip. The
new cruiser had equalled all expectations
by making record OF Is "a knots an hour.
About $50 the navy launch Lily came
alongside, and the naval board, headed
by Admiral Belknap, came aboard. Pro
parations for the start were hurried,
and by 8 o'clock all was 10 readiness. AZ
e:lo the anchor was weighed, and as the
ship slowly turned toward the sound the
melting frost on her asdes glistened in the
sunlight OF an ideal day. Afa-tAe- Mar
blehead improved her opportunity. for be-
fore she again dropped anchor in front of
Fort Trumbull. she had made her record
and snug fortune for her builders.
The starting point off Plum island was
In sight at $3.50. and as the Marblehead APP
preached the famous old Kearsarge she in
creased her speed perceptibly. Every
thing that offered any resistance To the
wind had been removed from her decks,
and all except those Immediately inter
ested in her success and the naval officers
In charge were ordered from her upper
decks during the trial.
Tho stnrt.
At full speed she creased the line at 1908.
There was light wind blowing from the
southwest, and the tide was with her for
the first six miles. and soon the second
stakeboat, the Fern. was in sight. The
Marblehead was doing her prettiest as she
dashed through the water.
The tide was against her after passing
the six-mile buoy, and her speed dropped
little for the rest of the westward run.
The third stakeboat, the Dolphin, was
71-2miles from the Fern, the distance being
covered in 2Gm. 5s.. an average speed of
IL 60 knots. She could undoubtedly have
made il faster had it not been for the reg
ulation limiting the steam pressure to 165
pounds per square inch with 5 per cent
added. She could easily have carried more
steam and her boilers were making moro
than could be used.
The next marking boat wns the Narketa.
located ~ miles from the Dolphin. The
cruisers time for the distance was 2420..
.ffhe rug Fortune WAS next in tine and
her exact distance from the Dolphin was
not known. The time for the stretch was
26:4s.
The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius marked
the end of the first half of the run. The
last interval was covered in 22:l3. The first
helf OF the course, 80 miles. had been COW
cred in In. 5Sm., being an average of 1873
knots an hour.
About 20 minutes were occupied in turn
ing around for the return trip, this being
deducted from tho trial time. The vessel
turned easily and very stfliy, there being
but very little vibration.
Tho Return Trip.
The vesuvius was passed on the return
trip at 1926 and the race down the home
stretch was commenced. All the condi-
tions were favorable. The wind and tide
were with her and she was working
finely.
The first Is miles of the return trip was
was made at an average speed of 10 knots
an hour. Then the engineer let her out
another notch. The vessel trembled from
stem to stern. and dashed toward tho
finish.
When the Fern was reached the engi-
neers urged the flyer on for the final lap.
As the Kearssrgc, the last boat, was
passed, the timers stopped their watches at
2:l6:4s. The last six miles had been made
at an average speed OF 2l:G6 knots an hour
nearly FIVE knots faster than requiie cd
Once over the line the big white vessel
Of war lost much of her headway, aud
dropped TO half speed.
The naval board then experimental with
her steering gvar for n short time. the time
limit of the trial being up, and tried her
ability TO change her course quickly.
During these experiments the brackets
holding the steering drum were broken
and the steam-steering gear disabled.
She proceeded to New London guided 10y
the twin. screws. and while the builders,
captain and engineers were receiving the
congratulations OF all aboard she dropped
anchor off Fort Trumbuil at j:35 o'clock.
The last half of the course, 80 miles,
had been made in In. Som. approximately,
and the half had been run at the rate of
1851 knots an hour The az miles had
been made in Oh. sm., at an average rate of
Is. S.o4 knots an hour.
The contract for the vessel called for
speed of IL knots an hour. For every
quarter knot over this the builders re-
ceive $25, 900. and for every quarter knot
below it they would forfeit $4,000 BY
the record made IL Is estimated that the
Marbehead has made for her builders
G75,000. The official report of the naval
board, with the variations brought about
by the tides, may make her record for the
~ miles little less than 1894 knots, but
it is believed TINT 1t will not foil below
Is. 70, and ii may te increased to u ? kuots.
History OF the ship.
The Marblehead WIS built at the City
Point iron works at South Boston. tho
contract being signed in November, 1852.
Work was commenced on her in January.
lsg0, and she was launched on Aug. IL.
1892 Soon after the firm of Harrison
Loring failed, and the work Of finishing
her was carried on by the assignees, of
which Mr.. Quintard Of the firm OF ". +.
Palmer & Co. was one, aud on May 80 last
she was towcd TO the works Of that firm in
New York. where her machinery was put
In. The vessel is n counterpart Of the De-
troit and Montgomery, aud was built as a
fast armored cruiser
She Is of 200 tons displacement. entirely
OF steel. Her length 40 the water line il
25s feet. extreme beam 81 feet and mean
draught IL l-2 feet. She il twin screw
propeller and the engines. which were
built entirely 10y the QuIntard iron works.
are triple expansion, inverted cylinder and