The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-20
Hail Columbia. Queen Of the sat

"She can steam completely around the
world without touching at any point for
! coal, and yet, when the occasion arises, she
can overtake with ease the fastest OF the
ocean greyhounds." Such was the decara-
ton Of Secretary TRACY about the Column
bla. and her great record of Saturday may
we'll recall it.
The triumph achieved on her official trial
has surpassed all early expectations formed
OF this great flyer. Her contract called for
81 knots; It was generally understood that
she would make % knots, and she actually
reached 22.s1 knots as the average OF four
consecutive hours.
The Columbia, therefore, will be able TO
fulfil the purpose for which she was de-
signed. OF her and hor mate. the Mime
apolls. Mr.. TRACY said that. with maxi
mum speed OF 70 knots an hour, and sus-
tained sea speed of 81 knots. they can safely
be counted on In any ordinary sea to over
take any commerce destroyer any COM
merce protector, or any mercantile vessel
now aHoat." 1t will be observed that the
Limitation I'm any ordinary sea" is here
expressed. 1t Is undoubtedly true that
the swiftest transatlantic liners have
certain advantage In their greater length.
The Columbia is 4t2 feet long, exceeding in
that respect. wo believe. at the time she
was designed. the longest man-of-war then
afloat. But the Paris is 5Gj feet long. and
the Majestic $50 feet while the Columbias
freeboard forward is only 1917 feet. whereas
that OF the Paris is 80 feet In rough
weather, with other things equal. the longer
vessel with the higher freeboard would
have the advantage Hence Mr.. TRACY
speaks Of ordinary conditions Of the sea In
making his prediction.
But. rs an olTcst to this limitation. we
find the trial speed OF the Columbia much
ahead OF what was originally expected. so
that her sustained sea speed through a long
distance should be proportionally increased.
The arrangement OF the three screws, by
tending to secure immersion. especially for
the central propeller. in all conditions OF the
water. diminishes the racing" which.
when vessel is rolling and pitching. causes
a marked reduction In speed. This. rs Chief
Constructor WILSON once said. would tell
greatly In chase after liner, whose screws
might be racing. and would compensate for
the advantage Of greater length possessed
by the vessel built for commercial purposes"
Thus tho rough weather which might hurt
transatlantic liners in one respect, might
help it in another.
Achase after such an ocean flyer would also |
bring out the capabilities OF the Columbia
for great burst Of speed which formed one |
OF the striking features OF her trial runs on |
the New England coast. Such a burst OF |
speed might quickly bring her within range |
OF even the fastest Of vessels trying to escape |
her. and. since besides her two 6-inch and |
eight finch guns she carries one s-nch. |
which Is larger gun than would DO likely to
be mounted on merchant vessel turned into
a war ship, she might cripple fleeing adver-
sary 80 as tho more surely to overhaul it.
Tho Columbia is great vessel. and with
half dozen like her we should be able to
make any nation think twice before exposing
its ocean commerce to destruction by declar-
ing war against the United States.