New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-01
THE KATAHDIN'S TRIAL RUN.
HER ACTUAL SPEED NOT UP TO THE RE-
QUIREMENT
IT IL EXPECTED. HOWEVER THAT ALLOWANCES
FOR WIND AND TIDE WILL BRING HER UP
TO THE ILMrT-THE TRIP MADE UNDER
UNAVOIDABLE CONDITIONS
NEW STYLE OF BOAT.

TO THE 1IMfT-THE TRIP UNDER
UNAVOIDABLE CONDITIONS
NEW STYLE OF BOAT.
New London. Conn, Oct s1.-The new harbor-
defence ram Katahdin had her official trial over
the Long Island course to-day and, although her
actual time was not within the specified limit 1t Is
confidently expected that allowances for currents
etc. will raise her above the required sew
enteen knots
The ram left New-Iondon about o'clock ana
proceeded under easy steam down the Thames River
and along the Sound in a westerly direction Inc
run Of thirty eight miles from New-London 10 the
first markboat was made at fair speed. The United
States dispatch boat Dolphin was moored close 10
the first buoy Of the course. This buoy was ABOUT
twelve miles west by north of Horizons Point, LONE
Island and from this place the course ran about due
west The buoys were moored four and one-quarter
miles apart dividing the whole run OF seventeen
miles into four equal portions. The other -FOUR sta
lions on the course were occupied by the Govern
ment tugs Iwana. NGrkeeta and Nina. and the
transport Fern On each side OF these vessels were
officers OF the Navy to take the time OF the ram IN
passing the mark buoy, for checking purposes ana
also to take the direction and strength OF the cur
rent, tide and wind.
When the Dolphin was reached tho wind. which
has been light and from the northeast. had 1resh-
ened somewhat. and the surface OF tho Soun- was
dotted with whitecaps. The wind would be practi-
caly with the ram on the run to the westward
but dead against her on the return trip. the con-
tract provided that the trial shOuid De IN smoo'l
water but tho builders decided that they wouid
go on with the trial. Notwithstanding the dsad'a''
tageous circumstances.
After a few preliminary manoeuvres during
which the ram showed that she could turn In q
very small circle, the Of the vessel VS.
shaped for the first mark buoy. This buoy was
passed about II 1880. The tide was then against
the RAM although the light wind was In her faVor'
Her time to the second mark buoy was 10 minutes
80 seconds made with average Of 1Ss revolutions
a minute Her times and revolutions. respectively
to the third fourth and fifth buoys were as foi-
lows: Second quarter-16 minutes "a seconds; reVo-
lutions AS Third quarter-l6 minutes. ID SECONDS,
revolutions. 1907. Fourth quarter-ls minutes IL
seconds; revolutions. 1901.
After passing the Nina which the most
easterly mark boat the ram made a long turn sun
at full speed. and at 1925 she passed the first
mark on her homeward Journey. .,o T., * min
on this trip the first quarter was done IN 10 mn
utes Az seconds at an average or lfs reVoiu,ions
onds 1885 reySuons the third ne 10 fd mhhf s
is minutes liz seconds. at 1859 revolutions.
The run Of seventeen miles out was competed IN
hour minutes 50 seconds and the return trip in
hour n seconds. making total ior the thirty io"i
miles Of hours ave are tbe actual elapsed
times between the mark buoys From these times
ard wind. and these figures can only be obtained sii
after the reports Of the observations taken on an
the mark boats have been handed IN On the o ,he
ram while the tide running at the rate OF
about a knot to a knot and half against her. 10y
the time she turned the wind had freshened con-
siderably. and It was dead in her teeth on me re-
turn tourney covering the vessel with spray. When
the second half Of the trip was begun the tide had
turned and was also running against her The nee
essary reports and caculat lions cannot he made ior
eon1a DAYS but IT is expected by those who are
hest posted that the proper allowances Tor tde etc
will give the ram a speed considerably over the
The ram was commanded on the trial by captain
O. G. oliver of the steamer Salacia, and the helms
of steamers. A., .S,. -. c,,
The Naval Tria Board under the charge S OF Cap zap
The Board cor Of the following officers: Cap
tain Henry + ilc.ing. Commander robert +: BRAD
Chief Fngineer Augustus II; Able. Naval Gonstrus-
~ UiIiiam II Narney and Lieutenant sidney H.
S The engineer officers included Chief En-
gneer r. w Mllgan and Passed Asslstsnt Eng
"a likely to be assigned the command OF the ram II
she is ACCEPTED