The times., 1897-04-08
IOWA'S OFFICIAL TRIAL
The BattIeship Shows Great Speed
Under Favorable Conditions.
Made an Average of Seventeen Knots
AN Hour and Wins the Cramps
100000 Bonus.

Boston, Mass. April 7 Under favorable
conditions and TO the satisfaction Of all
concerned, the United States battleship
Iowa was given her official trial trip over
the Cape Ann course and under the in-
speetiOu OF the naval board appointed for
the purpose. On the trial she made an
average speed of II knots over the sixty
six mile course, exceeding her contract
100000 for her builders.
The figuring OF seventeen knots is q
close one, and there is not much of
margin to allow for errors. but since the
tidal corrections are likely to be in the
ships favor il is reasonably certain that
the official figures will show seventeen
knots. She finished her run after nearly
five hours of continuous Steaming, in as
good condition as when she started, and
without the least effect being apparent
anywhere, or the slightest heating of her
bearings.
The weather conditions were favorable
for making steam, and the boilers showed
an average pressure of 152 pounds. OF all
that could he expected, with the incIeas
OF air pressure allowed in the closed fire
rooms. Both engines ran with remarkable
uniformity, the revolutions of the screws
not falling below II 1 per minute nor rising
above 113 12, and averaging 112 for the
run.
The speed was also remarkably uniform
between the several marks along the course,
and shows that the vessel made scarcely
any spurts. but Kept CioSetO her best work
all the time, the variations being almost
wholly due to the changing depths of the
water.
Immediately after the completion Of the
course the Iowa was swung as rapidly as
possible TO port and then to starhOard for
a half circle under way to determine the
maneuvering ability She answered her
helm readily, and showed the possibility
of turning circle OF less than 400 yards.
The absence OF vibration, even When
the snip was driven at her highest speed,
was very marked In fact. the vibra ton
could hardly be felt, except at the ex-
treme bow and stern. The trial showed,
in short, that little is left 20 be deoired
either in design or construction, and the
board expressed the same, un0ffieiaIy.
The stations were &c miles apart, and the
course was thirty-three miles north-north-
east from the first station, about five miles
northeast OF Thatcher's Island, to the
sixth station, about mile to the east
ward OF Boone buoy, and return.
The elapsed time for the first half was
1923. Average speed, 1888 knots
For second halr. 1:55:2f; average speed,
I7.27 Average speed for the entire dts
tanCe seventeen Knots. Elapsed time, 3: 52.
The ship left Ier mooriugs in Boston
harbor for the race course at $50 a. M,
and returned to her anchorage, off the
Lower Light, shortly after 4 O'Clock p M
TO the newspaper men on board Mr.. Edwin
s. CranIp expressed himself perfectly
satisfied with the showing made hy ths
ship. and with her behavior in every way.
The Iowa will sail early Thursda morn
ing for Philadelphia. She is the last
Cramp ship for which the Government Of
fers speed premium. The next Crautp
ship TO come here for trial will be tho
Japanese cruiser now building and To be
completed In about year She win have
a speed trial, since twenty-five knots il
gained.