The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-16
WORLD BEATER.
Cruiser Minneapolis Breaks
All Records of Warships.

GroucKsTEI:. Mass. July l6-The new
Yankee cruises Minneapolis not only
camo up to the expectations Of her build
ers Saturday, but broke the worlds record
for warship speed by averaging a speed OF
23:05 knots for over four hours, thus ex-
ceiling by quarter of knot the record
of the swift Columbia. The vessel was
down to her contract normal draught,
drawing % feet inch forward, and %
feet inches aft, mean OF % feet 8 l-2
inches, or two inches in excess OF the re-
puirements.
The day was an excellent one for the
trial, everything was auspicious for
good display Of speed.
The anchor was promptly hoisted, and
the great commerce destroyer stood out
of the harbor at an easy gait. Boston
light was passed at s:3l a. m. and from
that time on the speed was steadily In
creased. The steam pressure grew. the
revolutions of the big screw propellers
became more frequent, the forced
draught was gradually applied by means
of the powerful blowers. and by Q o'clock
the huge mass OF steel was churning up
seething mass of water and foam, with
steadily increasing speed. To lessen the
resistance of the atmosphere. everything
removable was taken out Of the way and
slowed. Boats were placed upside down
and slowed inboard, flags and flag poles
were taken down, aud everyone about
decks was cautioned to keep in the lee OF
something, that his body might not re-
tard in the slightest the onward progress
of the great war machine.
BY 9:2s o'clock the bell buoy Oft Eastern
point was passed. The boilers were now
under forced draught. and perfect hail
of cindsrs deluged the decks.
At $3.50 o'clock the blast of the whistle
summoned all hands to their stations,
and announced that the race was ut hand.
Cape Ann lights were close on the port
bow. the tug Iwana, marking the start
ing point. was right ahead and the start.
ing range was being rapidly approached.
An Exciting siara
Up went the red flag at the fore. the en-
gine room bells sounded a signal to those
below, and promptly at 9;44:0S a. IN. the
first range was crossed. The conflict with
time was on.
1t had been previously announced that
the line would be crossed at 10 a. IN.
Acting on this information. the engineers
OF the Minneapolis did not develop the
highest power of the machinery as soon
as they might have, and consequently as
the line was crossed the steam pressure
was below that easily obtainable, and the
revolutions OF the engines averaged less
than 1870 per minute. Here was a clear
handicap. However, the signal once given
that the vessel was on her course, all
hands bent to their task and the great
Iace Waa ON.
The beginning Of the race was very inn
posing. AS the starting line was passed,
salutes were offered by the mum berless
vessels of all kinds that hovered about
the Swana. There we're excursion steam.
O. tugs and steam yachts, which footed
their whistles with encouraging vim.
Sailing craft dipped their colors. and the
crews and passengers all waved hats and
handkerchisfs and sent forth lusty cheers
Of encouragement
At 9:50:30 the magnificent armored
cruiser New York, the finest and most
powerful ship of the navy yet In COM
mission, was passed at rapid gait. The
other stations on the course were passed
in rapid succession, as shown in the table
below. The Isles Of Shoals bore abeam at
1888 o'clock. the engines then making 1874
revolutions q minuta.