The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-29
OFF DOWN SOUTH.
The Monterey Starts on
Her Trial Trip.
She Gets a Good Send-Off" and
Barring Little May-de-Mer on
Board Seemed All Right.

The United States coast-defense vessel
| Monterey set off on her trial trip yesterday
afternoon.
She made brave start. too. as if reso-
lutely bent on defying fishnets and grease
and heated machinery henceforth and for
ever.
1t was known that she was lying off
Sausalito all ready for the trip and a whole
lot of interest was apparent all along the
front yesterday as to her movements.
Spyglasses and strong binoculars were
leYeied all the morning in vain and sage
prophecies wers baudied about to the effect
that the big boat would surely push her
nose through the Golden Gate about noon,
when the tide went out.
Bnt she never budged except TO swing to
anchor bit and it'was almost p NJ. be-
fore she got move" on her.
She appeared in tip-iop condition. as far
as externals went, and with her snowy
sides seemed as fair a debutante as ever
breasted the dangers of a stormy sea- But
the sea was not at all stormy. There was
fresh breeze blowing the waters of the BAY
Into light whitecaps, but that was ALL The
sun was bright and the pros pect clear as
bell.
Still it was feared that it might be diff
ferent outside tile heads, and il was not
until the tug Fearless, about 2:3O p. NJ,
had made an experimental trip cut as far
as the Patch and reported all clear and not
much sea outside that the actual venture
was decided upon.
Orders were given to weigh anchor and
the work went forward without delay.
The neat decks of the big boat were not
to be befouled by the chain, however, so a.
it came up stream was played on it from
a hose, and IL was wound away in dainty
shape.
Steam was up and slowly the low-lying
cruiser, that would present difficult
mark Tor an enemy's guns. moved toward
the Golden Gate.
She went very slowly and cautiously, as
If feeling her way. Indeed, go cautious
were her officers that they kept man in
the forechalns heavng the lead until over
the bar and outside the heads.
There was quite little breeze by this
time and the sea was choppy, with
slight swell. and now it was noticed that
the big boat rolled heavily.
Signs of distress speedily appeared on
DO 'rd, for several of the officers were seen
to be affected with mal.de-mer, and to be
engaged in gazing inteutly over the side
with generous ideas for the regalement of
the hshes. Inc spray seemed to bother
them good bit besides.
The lower derk was washed all the
time, and canvas had to be rugged round
in front of the pilots box TO protect the
officers. She would not rise quickly
enough from the trough of the swell, but
would often bury her nose deep in the on
coming bank. nsslng the spray over her
back. Sometimes she took rays clear
over her upper deck. But she shook them
off impatienty as a duck might.
She was now going along steadily at
about eight knots. and about three miles
beyond the whistling buoy the Fearless,
which had attended her so far, screamed
farewell and left her to her own devices
| She headed southwest. and disappeared
through light fog which seemed to be
coming in.
The Monterey had on board her full
com lement OF officers and men, besides
the United States inspectors, the chief
engineer of the Union Iron Works and
press representatives.
She left with the intention of being
away at least five days, intending to put
in last night at Monterey and go on after
ward to Santa Barbara. This will be her
programme II her machinery does not get
overheated and misbehave itself or any
other untoward accident occur.
at g P. NJ. she was attentively watched
| by the Merchants Exchange lookout at
Point Lob0s.
He reported that she was then about
eleven miles out, going along very stead
lily. though her lower decks were very wet.
She did not appear to plunge much. The
wind was Blowing fresh and there was
considerable fog in a soutlwesterly direc-
ton, whittier the cruiser was travelling.
The aspect of the Monterey as she left
was general subject of nautical criticism
last night. Of course, there was not much
to judge by. but the marine wiseacres
thought they knew ii all, as usual.
III she rolled like that in slight swell
that never sprinkled the Fearless" said
one, II wouldn't care to be aboard her in
a regular sea- 1t could easily be seen that
the officers were not anxious to go out
unless it was smooth outside"
Wherever she puts in long enough to
allow message to be sent news will be
forwarded of her behavior, and her trial
trip will be watched with interest.