Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-03-15
A THING OF BEAUTY.

Successful Preliminary Trial Of the Bat
tie ship Indiana-The First Of Her Class
In tho New Navy-The Contract Speed
Easily Accomplished. with Lots OF Re-
Serve Power Yet to be Brought Out-A
Premium Winner.
PHILADELPHIA, March 9.-The new
battle ship Indiana, the first OF her
class in the new navy, returned yes
terday afternoon from a most success
full preliminary trial trip. The In
dirna left the Cramps yard at
o'clock Tuesday morning in charge
of Capt R. w. Sargent and an expert
enced crew. She steamed slowly down
past the city wharves, moving more
like an old-timer than like big battle
ship, the largest ever built in this coun-
try, on her maiden trip. When in
deeper waters of Delaware bay, the
speed was increased to about thirteen
knots. Her engines worked with mar
velous smoothness and there was no
perceptible vibrat ton from them. Dur
ing the afternoon compasses were add
justed, and everything was put in
readiness for the run of the next day.
The ship anchored off the Delaware
breakwater for the night.
anchor was taken aboard and the ship
headed out to sea. After passing out
side the capes her course was changed
and she ran to the northward. The
day was perfect one for sea trial.
The air was balmy and the ocean like
a mill pond. The big ship pushed
ahead steadily and seemed to be as
easily handled as a steam yacht, though
she is 10. 2OO-tonner.
The course over which her trial runs
were made is off Cape May, and was
between the Southwest lightship at
the Five Fathoms bank, to the North
west ightship, 9.65 nautical miles up
the coast. The ship was put over this
course six times-three times in each
direction. The turns were made at
full speed, and the ship was practically
under five hours continuous steaming
at high speed. During all this time
there was no accident of any kind to
the machinery or the ship, nor bear
ing beam unduly heated, and every
thing worked SO smoothly that even
her builders were surprised.
The averages were 14:02 and 1919
knots, respectively. The engines av-
eraged 1872 revolutions, and, as about
the same time was made going and
coming. the tidal effect was practically
eliminated.
A moderate forced draft of half an
inch air pressure was used for the next
run, and fifteen knots was maintained.
This is the speed called for in the con-
tract with the government.
The ship made 1876 knots on the last
two runs. This was considered SO sat-
isfactory that the trial was declared
at an end, and the Indiana returned
to the breakwater, where she an
chored for the night.
At z o'clock yesterday morning she
started on her return trip to this city.
Coming up the bay and river an aver
age of fourteen knots was made with a
favorable tide for 80 miles.
The performance of the Indiana on
this preliminary run was very salts
factory when the condition Of the ship
is considered. Her bottom has not
been painted since she was launched a
little over a year ago. Her side armor,
turrets, coming tower and guns have
not been placed in her yet, and she con-
sequently draws three feet less than on
her official trial This will sink her
screws deeper, and is expected to in
crease her speed.
Taking all things into consideration,
1t is predicted that the ship will make
above fifteen knots, and possibly a
quarter or half knot more. A pre-
MUM of $4,000 per quarter knot will
be earned by the builders for anything
above fifteen knots, and from 500, 600
to $4,000 will probably be paid by
the government in addition to the 49,
02O, 900 named in the contract.