New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-18
FAST TORPEDO-BOAT TRIALS.
ANOTHER TEST OF THE FARRAGUT OR.
DERED. ALTHOUGH SHE SHOWED
REMARKABLE SPEED


Washington. Nov. II (SpecisD.-The first OF the
30-knot torpedo boats built in the United States
and the only Of that speed which has az
yet undergone official trial. has finally failed 10
reach the requirements after three attempts
the first two Of them resulting in serious dam
age to the vessel. telegram received from
Lieutenant-Conmander Franklin J. Drake by Sec
rotary Long shows that the Farragut on her final
trial. near San francisco November 10 ran 2s72
knots In an hour. He says that this remarkably
high speed was achieved with excessive yibra-
ton Of hull undue friction Of engines. The yes
sci straIghiaway FOR half an hour at the rate
OF % knots. followed by a turn, ACCOMPLISHED
within fifteen minutes. and another dash of hall
hour. this time at the OF ol3 knots the
average for he whole being 1913. The
Union Iron Works Of San Francisco which built
the vessel. has appealed to Secretary Long 10 ac-
cept her declaring that she easily makes the re-
qured speed of thirty knots under ordinary condi-
lions. but retarded In the Official trial by
shallow water and heavy head winds In the first
half. when the speed fell behind the contract rate
The act OF Congress Of June TO- 1896. authorizing
this vessel and the Dahlgren and the 7. A. NJ
Craven. now building at Bath Nc. is novel in that
IL stipuates that the vessels shall make AZ leas,
thirty knots. and the contracts call for that speed
and declare that II the vessels fail TO make il they
shall be rejected The Department was therefore
compelled to-day decide that fourth trial would
De necessary, IL DelnE pOWercSs 10 waive the
dit!ons. although the belief was general among off,
GERS that difference of seventeen hundrcdths OF
a knot impractcable Of measurement in a
thirty five mile run.
The two similar boats building at Bath Me are
within 20 per cent OF complexion and II is expected
that their trials VIII take place in about month
All three of the vessels should have been delivered
to the Government nnacr contract I'm the early
part of last April and they have already accumu.
lated large bills account Of the delay penalties
The failure of the Union Iron Works boat readily
to accomplish its designed Ne.ocity-althoueh the
Scots, who built her T. nous for excel
lence Of their work. shown in the Oregon the
Monterey. the Olympia. the San Francisco the
Charleston and other vossc.s-is thought 20 fore
shadow much greater difficulties with the Bath
Iron Works boats, that company has hitherto
had Indifferent success with the vessels d. has fur
nished to the Navy with tho possible exception 4
the gunboats Machias and Castinc. although their
performance has not been extraordinary
An instance Of Pacific Coast energy under difficult
ties shown yesterday al the Navy Department
IN the issue OF orders for Commander Drake. Naval
the Shlpyard of Won x LWickcr. Portland. ore
on November 22 10 try the torpedo boat Davis Il
was aboard this vessel that about thre" weeks ago
men were Killed hy the explosion OF ono y
extensive repairs have been completed I'm This re-
markedly short time. and another attempt Will "a
made next Tuesday maintain Hioe. ~ 2lis
Knots for Two hours. Another - 2-knot boat. tho
Fox Is also practically completed ~ the Noin Il
Xwicker works and will be tried soon as thu
Davis is accept cd 10y the Government. Tho 9s-knot
Moran Brothers, at Seattle last January. may also
be- added 20 the Navy before The md Of the year.
the Pacific Coast the Aulntir feet having hitherto
mOnopoliZcd this iype OF craft