Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-05
Spe d Trials in the Navy.

trial made under unfavorable conditions
did not quite attain the required IL
knots, there are few In this country, we
believe, who would be willing to see the
ram become part of the naval armament
of any other nation Had the craft
attained the speed of II knots It's value
in harbor defence would have remain
cd practically as much in doubt as it
does at the present. These speed trials
are seldom equalled again by the vessels
making them.
Admiral Ramsay has collected some
interesting figures on ordinary cruising
performances Of the new warships which
will be sent to Congress by Secretary
Herbert in his annual report. During
the past year the admiral required all
commanding officers to report to him the
rate of speed and coal consumed on every
voyage and the results demonstrate that
the wonderful bursts of speed productive
Of large premiums when skilled jockcying
is employed by builders on trial trips to
establish great records are meaningless
as indicating the value of such vessels for
every day naval uses. The cruiser New
York, for instance rated in official publ
cations as 81 knot ship. From August
to October 1896 the best run she made
was at rate of Is knots an hour from Kiel
to Gravesend, 6S5 knots. Her average
for the year was about ten knots. The
Minneapolis, is believed to be the fastest
warship afloat1, If pushed. She is rated at
23.073 knots, having averaged that for
hours between Cape Ann and Cape Por-
poise. Her best speed the past year was
1I3 knots made on run from Norfolk
to New York. Among others the Castine
which Is rated at 1855 knots made a
maximum speed during the year. of 10
knots; the Machias, with a rating of Is. 46
knots, made a maximum of II knots.
But 1t has been demonstrated that the
Katahdin can make between Is and 16
knots easily and is apparently able to
maintain that rate of speed. The ram did
this on the run of thirty miles to New
London from the scene of the trial. When
going at this speed the boat rides easily
and no water is thrown up over the bow
as it Is when greater speed is attempted.
This fact together with the ease with
which the ram may be maneuvcred indi-
Gates that there might be ample oppor-
tunity for the Katahdin to seriously
damage If not destroy such fast cruiser
as is the New York. That the failure of
the ram to meet the requirements in
speed is not the failure of the builders IS
conceded, as is the fact that in all other
respects the vessel comes up to the re
quirements. The award of two gunhoats
to the Bath Iron Works indicates that
the navy department considers the Katah-
dn's speed failure As no reflection upon
the builders. Some equitable ARA Dge-
ment for acceptance of the ram will
probably be made.
Unlike contracts for other naval yes
sells, which provided for certain forfeiturcs
II certain fixed speed were not secured,
an iron-clad clause was placed in the
katahdin agreement compelling her to
show seventeen knots under penalty of
rejection. The vessel was of a wholly
novel and experimental character, and for
this reason few of the builders of warships
responded to the advertisements issued for
proposals. Secretary Tracy finally in
duced President Hyde of the Bath Iron
Works, to undertake the contract, giving
assurances, as it is said, that the depart
ment would be disposed to be lenient If it
were demonstrated that the vessels design
was defective Naval officers still adhere
to the belief that under favorable condi-
lions In the smooth water for which the
Katahdin was designed she could easily
make the required II knots.
Gen. Hyde does not think that the
government will refuse to accept the boat
He is quoted as saying: Those plans,
upon which we made our bid, stated that
she would develop II knots speed when
driven by 1900 horse power. Those
engines developed nearly 5000 horse
power, and yet they only sent her at q
1913 knot speed. This is not our fault
nor Is it the fault of the government. y
He also referred to the fact that the ram
drew more water than was designed, and
that the principal trouble is due to tn,
| shape of her hull.