Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-01
THE CRUISER NEW YORK,
Report OF the Board which Conducted the
Recent Trial.

Report Of the Board which Conducted the
Recent Trfal.
The report Of the naval board Of which Rear
Admiral Belknap is president. which conducted
the recent trial OF the armored cruiser New
York, gives the following official story Of the
trial:
The weather was clear and pleasant, sea
smooth, wind light to moderate The condi-
tions could not have been improved. Best Po-
cahontss hand-picked coal was used through
out the trial With one exception nothing was
neglected on the part of the contractors to Sc
cure the best results, and they were aided
greatly by the meteorological and marine con-
ditions OF the day. The exception was the
steering OF the ship. Whether due to the slug
gisn compasses or to too much use of the wheel
the wake was frequently tortuous, lengthening
the distances actually passed over by the ship
by lncrements incapable Of exact measure
ment.
Inc features OF the run north were: MAXI
mum revOlutions-Port, 1853; average, 134.7.
Starboard-Maximum. 1862; average, 13A6.
maximum steam pressure at engines, l73
por,. no starboard average, $50; port, 16s
sfarooard- Average air pressure, 1.8 inches;
time on course, hours SIS seconds Running
sonth the features we're: Average revolutions
Port, 1856 4; starboard, 1347; average pres
sure. ICY port, l6s starboard. Air pressure, 2
inches. Time over course, hour 81 minutes
50 seconds
On the run home to Philadelphia opportunity
was taken to observe the performance of the
vessel under reduced power. With the forward
engines uncoupled and four of the six boilers
In use under natural draft she made To- IS knots
by patent log. checked by observations-a very
satisfactory performance While so going the
helm was put over from hard-a-port to hard-a-
starboard in nineteen seconds. which leads the
board to record its favorable opinion of the
New Yorks steering qualities.
The board reports:
1. In its opinion the New York is "suficiently
strong to carry the equipment coal, stores and
tons"
z The hull, fittings and the machinery, in
Guiding engines, boilers and appurtenances Of
the vessel are strong and well built and in strict
conformity with the contract and authorized
changes.
g. The vessels lack completeness and readi-
ness for delivery in the respects noted
4 The ship being weighted to a mean draught
OF twenty-four feet one-half inch was run twice
over the measured course of about forty-one
and fve-eighths miles under the conditions pre-
scribed by the department The mean speed OF
the two runs, corrected for tidal current, over
the course actually described by the ship was at
the rate OF twenty-one knots an hour, the knot
being counted at 6,0s0 feet
0: The readings of the patent logs were so
widely apart and SO inconsistent as to furnish
no trustworthy measure of the speed of the ship
at such unusually high velocities. however con-
venient and useful at rates more commonly ex-
perienced.
6. The performance of the vessel under way
was In all respects satisfactory.
Z: The weight of the machinery as determined
under the provisions Of the tenth clause of the
contract il not yet known.
8. The board regards the New York as pos
sesstng the qualities Of steadness and seawor-
thiness in satisfactory, not to say notable
degree. Her rudder acts promptly and eff
ciently.
8. The board calls the departments attention
to Its opinion that the wing magazines are dan
gerously warm for the stowage of powder. es-
pecialy If made according to tho more recent
Formulas. The magazines should be separated
from the fire room by two bulkheads the
space between carrying either coal or air, as
may be deemed best
10. The expense bills are not ready for sub
mission.
IL The presence Of the Kearsarge and other
naval vessels on the line greatly facilitated the
maintenance OF the course In future trials
long spar buoys planted not over five miles
apart and even more anchored vessels would be
valuable.
IL. The performance Of the engines boilers
ana accessories was excellent. rejecting great
credit upon the builders. Nothing less than the
best material and workmanship could have pro-
duced boilers and engines to stand SO pro-
longed and excessive strain without a break
down in any part. Not journal heated unduly.
nor was any water used on bearings except as a
matter of precaution.
In conclusion. the board feels justified in re-
cording its opinion that in the New York the
navy OF the United States will possess vessel
which, as combination of superior speed
good armored protection, disposition of battery,
excellent sea-gOing qualities and rare habitabil-
ty, leaves little if anything to be desired for the
purpose she was designed to fulfill.
A long list Of items of work remaining to be
completed Is appended to the report, with the
statement that with the exception of limited
number Of items that involve large amount of
work, such as completing work upon turrets,
turning gear, ammunition hoists. torpedo out
fit, &c. many of the remaining items represent
but small amount of work.