The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-15
The Battleship Oregon Takes a
Trial Trip
AN UNEQUALED SHOWING
10 Speed, Steadiness and Condition Of
Machinery
The Pacific Coast Builders Have Put Out
the Finest Vessel Of Her Class
In the World
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SANTA BARBARA, May 14.-In her
official trial trip today the battleship
Oregon covered the sixty-two knots of
the official government course in hours,
40 minutes and AZ seconds, making the
magnificent average speed for the time
over the course of 1913 knots or 1885
miles an hour This speed places her at
the very front of ships of her class In all
the navies of the world, beating the
Massachusetts, the pride of the Cramps,
which made a record of 1915 knots. and
the Indiana's s record of sci knots
The contract of the Union iron works
with the government calls for S25,000 for
every quarter knot above Is, and by the
great performance the Oregon has earn
ed for her builders a premium of $780,
900.
Anchor was weighed at $40 with some
swell running, and the ship took pre-
liminary run to warm up the engine.
The manner in which the machinery
worked was satisfactory as speed de-
veloped. and continued running better
all the time. She started over the line
at the Unadilla stake boat at S:11, reach
ed Point Conception at 10 O'Clock, aver
age speed 1903, Is minutes and IA sec
onds being consumed in turning. On
the return run the average was 16 40
knots, crossing the finish line at 1:54.
The average run both ways was 1878,
with a maximum for six miles of 1874,
running under 100 pounds of steam
pressure, and the engines making 12S
to 100 revolutions with much less than
the allowed air pressure. With scarce
ly a vibration Of the decks from the
throbbing engines and amid cheering
from stokers, firemen and everyone on
board the Union iron works achieved a
victory over the worlds ship builders
and made the Pacific coast a. name to be
proud of.
After the trial, which was finished at
11:54, the Oregon went through man
euvers for three hours, during which
time she was backed, turned and cut
behaved beautifully.
irving M. Scott, speaking of the re-
suits, said the trial today makes the
Oregon absolutely unrivaled among the
ironclads Of the world. She excels the
Massachusetts, for defense and offense,
and only needed trial to prove that she
can carry these powers at speed great
er than any of her rivals.
An average speed Of 1878 knots, prac-
ticaly for six hours, shows beyond ques-
tion her ability to sustain great speed for
long periods. In every respect the en-
CINE performance was without equal.
Soon after her return to San Francis
co. when completed, she will be present.
ed with $4,000 silver dinner set by the
state or oregon In honor and apprecia-
tlon or the grandest battleship In the
world being named after the state. The
set is being made in New York and is
the finest possible. Capt W. H. Thomp-
son, representing the state board of
trade, announced to Mr.. Scott the inten-
tion OF the state. Although the members
OF the trial board could not express them
serves, they showed their appreciation of
the boats noble work in their faces. and
would have echoed Chief Engineer For
syth's remark. 1--WE have shown east
ern people that we know how to build
ana run the finest boat of her class
a1ioat. The Oregon left Immediately
grams ashore.