The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-14
TEXAS OFFICIAL TRIAL.
ORDERED ron THE fSTH INSTANT
BTTHE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Tho Maine Is Ready for scrvicc-Admiral
Bunce's Squadron VIII sail Next -
Seturday-1he Itinerary.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The trial yes-
tcrday OF the gOvernment-built battle
ship Texas, whose several misfOrtuncs
nave given rise to many conflicting opin-
ions az ~ her capabilities, reiulte0 IN an
entirely satisfactory performance, ac-
cording TO Captain Henry Glass, her
commander.
Captain Glass says:
"N ith moderate wind and sea on bow
or quarter she is very steady. and sp.ed
Of 10 TO ia knots were made with en-
gine revolutions from llo TO lH. AT these
sp1eds the absence OF excessive vibra-
tions In any portion OF the hull Is very
marked. The ship handles with per-
feet ease at any speed, ana possesses,
think, great manoeuyrcing power.
The engines OF the Texas We're run at
full speed for four hours, excepting sew
cral times when IL was necessary 10
slow down or stop them Tor "A few min
ut.s, because the journals became over
heated. The trial was finally disc0n-
tinucd on account of this, and Captain
Glass says that certain journals OF the
main engines will have 10 be ovcrhauled
and put I'm thorough Order. He recon-
mends that as the Texas has had two
days OF sea- trials, 40 further pre-
llminary trial be directed until the board
Of engineers has been appointed TO con-
duct the official trial. as in his opinion
wnen the work on the journals has been
completed. nothing further can be done
tc put the engines. as now siransed IN
condition for service
Oroers were ISSUED by the Navy De
partment this afternoon directing that
the official trial Of the Texas should take
place on tho 18th instant
THE MAINE.
The armored cruiser Maine Is practical
iy ready for service
a telegram to the Navy Department
dated al Newport, II. L., to-day, from
v captain George Dewey president OF tne
Naval Board on Inspection, says the
Maine. H. entirely ana III
VIII not be necessary to send her 10
any naVy-yard for repairs or anything OF
that nature Bad weather has prevented
her from leaving Newport
Captain Dewey says that the board
has completed the inspection of the yes
sci. including "a successful speed trldl,
except obtaining her tactical diameter,
fifing the guns, and testing her hydrau-
lic machinery. The telegram leaves n
doubt as 10 the tOrpetOrs and Acting
Secretary McAdoo has wired Captain
Dewey on the subject If the torpedo
test has been made, the Maine viii be
ordered to coal and join Admiral Bunce =
squadron Of evolution at Hampton Roads
without delay
The squadron is scheduled to sail De
cember 2lst.
The itinerary Of the fleet, subject TO
such change as Admiral Bunce may de-
sire TO make, Is as follows:
THE ITINERARY.
Hampton Roads, 81. Thomas. Santa
Cruz, 81. kits, Gaudaloupe, Martini
que. 81 Lucia. Barbados, Porto
Kingston, Jamaica. Colon, Chiriqui,
Port Limon, CreytOwn. Dry Tortugas,
Key West, Florida Bay; Key West.
Hampton Roads. arriving at the latter
place on May 18th Chiriqui, Port Limon,
and Greytown. Admiral Bunce states
may be emitted. Coal will be taken on
at ST. Thomas. ST. Lucia. and Key West.
During the stay az Trinidad. the squad
ron will have drill and target practice in
the bay Of Paria.
Much attention has been drawn to this
squadron by fumOrs that its voyage 10
the topics hinged on the Venezuelan
controversy, and the warnings of the
British newspapers that visit by the
squadron to any Venezuelan port would
be- looked on with disf8vOr by Great
Britain. A perusal OF the itinerary
shows that Trinidad. a days sail
Ing from the Venezuelan coast,
the territory m controversy ana II
may or may not be Of significance that
thirteen days will be sp6nt there.
Admiral ,Bunce's eq9adron will con con
lumbia the Raleigh. and the en-
cinnan. ali cruisers, and the Maine
sometimes described 9 an armor-
ed cruiser. but more frequently as a
secOnd-class battlc-ship.
THE MINNEAPOLIS.
Tho cruiser Minneapolis. under orders
10 proceed to Smyrna, Syria. I'm connec-
tion with the protection OF American In
terests, arrived at Gibraltar to-day.
The Minneapolis passed through the
Virginia Capes outward bound. on Mo-
vember 9th and was therefore sixteen
days In making The voyage
As she is considered the fastest ship OF
the new navy her low average rate of
about nine knots an hour causes some
surprise. although The vessel was not
ordered 20 proceed with dispatch.