Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-05
ALABANA'S PRIDE. The United States Ship Mont
 gomery Again
MEETS A SERIOUS MISHAP.
This Time a Cylinder Head Blows Off, Doing Much Dam
 age-To Be Repaired.

NORFOLK, Va. July 4.-After spending
 twenty four hours at sea the United States
 ship Montgomery, the pride Of Secretary
 Herbert and all Alabamians, met with
 mishap yesterday morning, which will lay
 her up for three or four months, and possi-
 bly, keep her out of commission during that
 time.
 It was ideal weather " hen the handsome
 vessel left Hampton roads Monday morning
 for her final forty eight hours run at sea.
 On board the vessel, in addition to her
 crew, were Commodore T. o. Selfrige, Capt. P. H. Cooper, Commander R. 5. Bradford, Chief Engineer R. N. Miliiken, NavalInstructorJ J J Woodward Lieutenant Commander Schroeder and Lieut.. N. D. Neils, composing the stability board, Joe Mackin, representing the Columbian Iron works of Baltimore, the constructors of the vessel, also Associated Press represen- tatives.
 The course of the vessel laid out by the board was up the coast as far as Winter Quarter light, and then return as far south as Currituck light, on the North Carolina coast, reaching Hampton roads on her re- turn Wednesday morning.
 When near the capes the Montgomery's head was turned northeast. At about o'clock the training was begun. During the firing of the big inch guns the vessel behaved in a manner to make the repre-
 sentative of her builder and the board proud. The jar of the ship was hardly per ceptible during all this firing. Every gun on board worked splendidly. TheD began the inspection of the electric plant, in- cluding wiring, which were found In good condition and according to specifications. On Monday the powerful search lights were tested, and it was the unanimous opinion that they were as good, if not better, than any in the service at the pres ent time. Tuesday was set apart for the trial of the
 machinery and steering apparatus, and early in the morning everybody on board was astir. The vessel was faced south, and several complete swings, half swings, and, in fact, all the evolutions required in mod ern warfare obeyed the helm admira- bly,.
 It was the intention of Commander Davis to give her speed test from a bearing off Cape Henry to point off Currituck. 1t was just 10:50 o'clock yesterday morning when the Montgomery bore five miles southwest by south from Cape Charles and thirteen miles east northeast from Cape Henry. The engineers had just received orders to start the vessel up at full speed, and were at that moment turning the steam
 on the port high pressure of the engine, when a terrific explosion was heard. fol- lowed moment later by the sound of es- caping steam. The hissing sound lasted
 only moment, however. The engineers jump ped for their throttles and shut off the steam, and then began an examination of the machinery. The damage was even greater than was anticipated. The cylin- der head had been blown out and the cylin- der was complete wreck. In the opinion of the officers it will take at least three months to repair the damage. nut on the crank pin end of the connecting rod had become loose while steam was being turned on for the speed trial, and under the heavy pressure the cylinder head gave way. The new machinery necessary to re- pair the damage will be cylinder casing, cylinder covering, new lining to cylinder, crank pin, cap, brasses and bolts and steam chest. The patterns of these parts
 are possibly in Baltimore, if they have not yet been demolished.
 This mishap brought the trial to a rather sudden close and the vessel came into Hampton roads last night under her star board engine, where her commander is waiting orders. It is not known whether she will be repaired at this yard or be sent | back to the contractors at Baltimore. It is | possible that she will go to the latter place, | as she had not been finally accepted by the l department, and this trial was to determine her stability before her final acceptance on | the 18th instant.
 Ths only other defect found in the ship was the ventilation of the aft compartment l of the berth deck. This will be easily remedied, however. Officers of the Mont gOmery, however, while convers1ng among themselves, seem to think that an improve
 ment can be made in the arrangement of the armor. Her bow sets down in the water about eighteen inches below the stern and it is possible that this defect will have to be remedied also. Some of the
 crew seem to think the Montgomery is Jonah vessel and they point to the several accidents which has befallen her, such as running aground on her previous trial and the present mishap as examples of bad luck which is following her.