The San Francisco call., 1896-05-15

fact three brOOmS (Wh1Skbro0mS were the
only ones that could be found) were fast
ened in triangle at the truck of the fight
ing mast, while on the bow was fastened q
live rooster, and on each of the turrets was
painted "17.0S' in big black letters. The
following is an official account of the trip
furnished bv one OF the officers. The time
given is chronometer, and four hours
slower than local:
"Clear weather, moderat swell and light
westerly breeze. Passed Montecito range
3:43:1O: Santa Barbara light. 3;57:l5;
Gedney, 4:14:53; Pelican Point, 4:1S:44 ;
Point Conception, 6:04 :04; average speed,
170s per hour.
Returning, Point Conception, 6:19 :95 ;
Pelican Point, S:0s:39; Gedney, S:12:40;
average speed, 16. 495 pr hour; average OF
both runs. 16.7S7 knots per hour maxi
mum run for six miles, 1874 knots an
hour.
1--WE met with a heavy swell off Point
Concepcion wind also increased ana
hauled to northwest; shipped several seas !;
engines and boilers performed very salts
factorilv. Boilers made all steam engines
could use. We made the turn at Point
Conception and ran the return course
without slowing"
The time made by the Oregon is a record
at which the builders of the world can
shoot. On her trial the Indiana made
1851 knots, which was not a great deal
over the Government requirements. The
Massachusetts, made 1915 knots and
earned a good premium for her builders.
Now comes the Oregon. however, with her
l6M knots and over and earns premium
OF $4,000 for her builders. Out of this
sum each fireman gets So for each quarter
OF a knot over the speed, and the engineers
in proportion. AS there was 100 men in
the engineers department the amount
paid to them as a bonus will not be incon-
siderable.
An idea as to what the men in the en-
gine-room had TO stand can be gathered
from the fact that the heat from the fur
naces melted the pitch in the decks and
water had to be constantly poured on
them to keep things cool. She carried 100
pounds of steam throughout and the
revolutions were from 128 10 130 a minute,
or less than the Government allowance.
After the trial Admiral Beardslee de-
termiued TO test the steering apparatus of
the ship. 1t was then that the only seri-
Gus incident of tie day occurred, and it
came very near to being disaster. The
big battIe-ship and the Pacific Mail Com
pany's steamer City of Sydney were
within hundred yards of each other and
had not the mail ship promptly
answered her helm there would have
been a collision. 1t happened this way:
The City of Sydney was on her way
to San Francisco from Panama and on en-
n
saw the Oregon in the distance with all
her flags flying and the brooms at her
masthead. He at once dressed ship and
steered a course that would take him near
the battle-ship. To understand what fol-
lows it must be remembered that the Ore
gon has two sets of steering gears. One is
worked by steam and is On the upper deck.
Should all the upper works be shot away,
however, during a fight then the hand
gear which is in the hull of the vessel
could be used and the Oregon could still
fight on. 1t was the latter gear that was
being used and the orders to the helmsman
had to be carried by word of mouth. Be-
fore the order could reach the steering
room the battle-ship was almost on the
mail steamer and it was only by sending
her full speed astern and the prompt ac-
tion of the captain of the City of Sydney
In sheering off that an accident was ayerted.
Everything on the Oregon was given a
thorough test and then she was headed for
Santa Barbara. She lay here half an hour
and then sailed for San Francisco. On
the run up she will be tested in all kinds
of ways, such as stopping and going
astern when at full speed, seeing how
quickly she will answer her helm and
other things.
Captain w. H. Patterson, the we'll
known Columbia River pilot, was one of
the guests on the Oregon. 1t was he who
took the Baltimore, Charleston and Mon
terey up the river to Portland, and in
recognition of that fact the citizens pre-
sented him with magnificent chronome-
ter watch, which he now wears The
people of Oregon are to present the battle
ship with $4,000 silver dinner service,
and Captain Patterson made the trip in
the cruiser in order to learn her ways so
as to be able to handle her should she be
sent up the Columbia to receive Oregon's 5
magnificent gift.