The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-02-11
FASTEST CRAFT AFL0AT
TRIAL TEST OF UNITED STATES TOR.
PEDO BOATNO.6.

Under Adverse Circumstances She Proves
Her Ability to Exceed the Required
Speed of ~ Knots IAN Hour-Can Make
so, 1t is Ciaimed-Government Officials
Highly Pleased at the Result.
Newport, r. l., Feb. 10,-Torpedo boat
No. to-day proved herself to the
naval officers not only to be a remark
able boat, but also the most speedy in
the world, when continuous running is
taken into consideration. The true Off
cial figures on the run give her a speed
of only 2S.72 to 2S.7S knots, but it was
quite apparent to those on board that
the boat was not forced to her limit
and that she might be rated as a thirty
knot boat if in the hands of trained
crew, for at no time was the steam
limit of 225 pounds reached, nor did her
propeller reach 400 per minute, while
there was every indication that she was
equal to much above this. Consequent
ly the members Of the trial board were
unable to conceal their great pleasure.
The weather conditions were perfect
for a winter day, the sea was practical
ly smooth though it was agitated by
about ten-knot breeze from west
northwest, which remained steady
throughout the trial of two hours. The
tide, though beginning to run on about
the same time that the run started,
did not exceed u knot.
The wonderful craft sped along with
great steadiness, creating but a very
hoo fv.oy 10
bow, while wide astern it was not more
than that Of good-sized schooner, ex-
cept directly under her stern, where
the rapidly revolving screw churned it
up. AS she passed close to the stake
boats on the course she hardly rocked
from the effects Of her sea. Naturally
on her first run down, she was not put
to her best, but she covered the course
in 24.52, this being on slack tide, and
before the wind.
On her return with opposite condi-
tions she did better-24.57A. Then on
the next trip it was 2500al, up in 24.56.
and down again in $3.50, making an
average of 25.03 minutes to each IL
miles, giving a speed Of 2S.74O3.
These figures are, of course, subject
to revision when the report Of the board
| is sent to Washington for the measure
1nent of the course is approximate, and
there are allowances to be made for
| tidal currents. These, however are ex-
! pected to benefit the time rather than
increase it. Then, too, just as she was
| squaring away for her final dash down
the course one of her blowers gave out
and though. thus crippled she made a
+record for these Is miles Of ITO knots
in excess Of her guaranteed speed.
There was but one other drawback,
that was slight indication Of heating
Of one Of the cross-head guides quite
| early in the run, but it was kept suf-
ficiently cool to keep the boat going.
| On her last builders trial she de-
veloped mean speed of 2S.76 knots,
and on one run over the mile course
made it in a 3oO1 gait. The crew of
| the Cushing, who expect to be ordered
to her in few days, and naval officers
who have witnessed her running, an
ticipate that she will increase her speed
to 80 knots for continuous running.
| The boat is almost complete in her
fittings except for her guns, and in fact
is ready to so into commission. While
she started with 225 pounds steam and
did not reach it again the steam at
one time fell as low as ITS pounds after
| the blower gave out.
| When the contracts were advertised
for but rs knots were asked, but the
Herreshoffs guaranteed 27, her price be-
ing $150,0O0.
The weights carried by the craft to-
day in excess Of fittings were 12 tons
of coal and that is equal to tons for
equipment and 6.32 tons for armor and
armament.
The trial board returned to Washing
ton tonight.