The morning times., 1897-02-28
TO BE NAMED THE FARRAGUT
Torpedo Boat TO Be Called After
the Old Admiral.


The Secretary OF the Navy has decided to
call the new torpedo boat. known as No.
8, ''FaTasut,' - in honor OF the naval hero.
The FaTragut, now at the navy yard, win
BE- given an exhibition run tomorrow tAIon-
day morning at $50 O'Clock down the
Potomac, and Secretary Herbert has IN
yitcd the members Of the Senate and House
Committees on Naval Affairs to accom-
pany him on the little vessel to show them
what wonderful speed she can make
This marine triumph, the fastest craft in
Uncle Sans navy, dipped her black. beak-
like bow in the waters OF the Potomac off
Blackstone light at 8 a m yesterday,
and at 1870 O'Clock anchored at the
navy yard wharf. She was in charge
OF Lieut.. j. c. Fremont, her commanding
officer, and Ensign u C. Dawson and u
crew OF twenty-seven men.
The torpedo boat left Norfolk at noon
on Friday. Since she went IN commission,
on February 20, she has been scampering
around in the seas from Bristol to Brook
lyn and along the coast. On her trial trip
the craft made a record OF 2S74 knots
per hour for two consecutive hours She
can go even faster than this, il is claimed,
and some Of her admirers believe she can
under pressure cover thirty-twO miles an
hour. In that event the boat would be
without rival in the world for speed
The trip 70 Washington was by no means
a speed trial though, and the little boat
came up the river at a IeiSurely pace. She
reached Blackstone light at $50 O'Clock
in the evening The weather was baG and
stormy, and as there was no need for
hurry Lieut.. Fremont decided to lay over
until morning.
Fully half a hundred visitors and en-
ployes at the navy yard, who had heard Of
the boats coming, were on the wharf when
SHE anchored, and in less than ten minutes
after her arrival her deck was swaTminl,
with curious people Others came fast, and
in half hour a hundred people had seen
the craft
The deck of the vessel does not set more
than ten feet above the water, AMI its
monotony is only broken by the pilot
houses, the smOke-stacks and the torpedo
engines. In ordinary seas the water would
wash across her in a free and easy manner,
and if the waves are the least bit naughty
it is necessary TO close every hatchway
closely and force a draft below Com
pactness is the essence OF the whole con-
Germ.
on the foredeck is the captain coming
tower. It is circular in shape, and does
not rise five feet above the deck. The
vessel is steered and managed from this
point when running or in action. There is
an aft-c0nning tower of somewhat similar
design near the stern, and this can he used
in case the forward one is disabled.
The captains room is in the bow OF the
Eoat, and adjoining the foremost magazine
Immediately back of it, and partly under
tire forward coming tower. is the officers
mesSIoom. The rooms are trimmed in oak,
and have oak furniture. The cu-tains are
of brown plush, while black leather GHSh-
ioaed hunks and Oriental hangiEgs add L,
the utility and beauty Of the rooms. In
close and compact order come the china
and silver closets, the pantry and other
officers hunks. Steam heat is furnished
and oil and electric lights are added TO the
conveniences. The lamps are shaded in
red.
In the center OF the crafta are situated the
engine rooms, where the power for pro-
pelling the vessel and hosting the tor
pedoeS is generated In the stern Of ths
boat the crews quarters are situated.
In the extreme rear is another magazine
Two torpedoes ready for instant service ara
stored in the aft coming tower There are
three projectiIe engines on deck One is
situated in the stern The other two are
placed at the respective sides OF the boat.
but not directly opposite. Two small rife
guns are also in position on the deck.
The boat is not more than seventy feet IN
length, and looks fully worthy OF the speed
with which she is credited