The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-10
NOTES ON THE SHIPS.
The Texas and the Maine-The Oiyinpia's
Cruise-rhe Cushing's Work.

WASHINGTON Dec S-Those who
have been condemning the Texas as a
failure, and berating Secretary Whitney
for his course I'm procuring the plans for
her, were premature, to say the least. She
Is doing better and better, and her final
horsepower trial promises TO be a com
pete success Her dock trial at Brooklyn
was a great Improvement over the trial
I'm Hampton Roads. and the preliminary
trial, from which she returned yesterday.
was also gratifying. There are still some
Improvements, probably. to be made in
her, as the result of experience but be-
yond doubt she will prove a valuable ad-
diton 20 our new feet The speed of
close upon sixteen knots which she made
yesterday gives good hope Of her exceed
ing sixteen under better conditions, and,
at all events. her engines seem likely to
reach the horse power for which they
were planned.
A brief reference has been made to the
report OF Captain Read that the coal In
four Of the Olympia's bunkers caught fire
from spontaneous combustion while on
her way TO oklahoma. Fuller details are
that AT Hawaii she had taken on board
a quantity of Wellington departure Bay)
coal. which was Of inferior quality, and
that 10 was on fire. more or less, for days
together. When four bunkers were ahre
together steam was turned ON and the
blaze extingushed. But it appears that
In addition much hard work was required
I'm transferring the coal in bags from the
after 10 the forward bunkers The Oiym-
pia was also for several days in the midst
Of heavy Southwestern. but rode out the
gale finely. The seas were very high, and
the great point OF interest is that she had
a thorough test OF her stability which
had been called in question In some quar-
ters on account OF her being modelled
In general after the Inflated Reina Re
gente, and Of her mounting a very heavy
battery. She is by far the most powerful
as we'll as the largest and fastest war
snip we have ever had In Asiatlc waters.
~ SIS said. by the way. that the exist
ing trouble i'm British shipyards may, IL
il continues. prove 10 be for the benefit
Of our country AS well as OF Germany.
The fears. however that China will trans
fer TO the former the proposed orders for
armorclads. cruisers, and torpedo boats
may lead 20 a solution Of the troubles.
Japan has safe i'm bank an enormous war
idomnity OF which a large part is ex-
uected 10 go for ships and our most ia
nous builders may get a share Of H.
Instead of taking the route through the
Suez Canal, 80 as 10 reinforce Admiral
Selfridges command, n required, the Bal
tim0re ga on her way home across the
Pacific and will touch at Honolulu for
coal There would be In fact little need
OF having her come by way Of the Euro
poan station, and che brings a number OF
officers and men whose terms OF duty
have expired
The inspection Of the Maine Is set for
tomorrow. and the report will be await
01 with interest. as "A setting forth of the
condition and capabilities OF a ship which
will soon be on regular service work
The exercises Of tho Cushing a. New
port are proving Of excellent use i'm the
drill of officers and men for torpedo boat
work and there Is also 10 be considered
the value OF the drill Of war ships in at
tempting 10 avert the simulated attack
which the Cushing Is ordered to make
upon any and all OF them that may enter.
By the time our next group OF torpedo
boats is ready. valuable data will have
been secured through the cushing's ex-
pcrlments for their proper use II Is
hoped that the Ericsson Will now soon be
i'm readiness for her trial trip. and then
the Cushing will have mate In her
work.
Much interest Is excited in the plan OF
the Union Iron Works for revolving the
S-inch turrets OF the Kearsarge and her
mate independently Of the l3-inch on
which they are placed. and to which In
the Governments plans they were 10
have been immovahly fixed The appa-
ratus designed for the purpose Is between
the two l3-inch guns, and unless the in
crease in weight should be too great II
may be adopted. In which case one OBJ
lection made 10 the two-story turret
would be remoyed.--New York Sun.