The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-25
THE TRIP SATISFACTORY
COURSE SAILED OVER WAS
SIXTY SIX- MILES.
HALF OF 1T AGAINST TIDE AND WIND
She Made Record of 1887 Knots an Hour
and Can Justly Be Rated as Seven
teen Knot Vessel. All Pleased
With the Trip.


Boston, Mass, Nov. 24-Against tide,
wind and a heavy head sea for at least
half of her course, the new battleShip
Kentucky made a record of 1857 knots
an hour today on her official speed
trial over the Government course from
Cape Ann to Boone Island, and by her
work showed that She is little faster
than her sister ship, the Kearsarge,
which was recently sent over the same
course The trial satisfied her builders,
the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry
Dock Company that she can justly be
rated as 1T-knot vessel, although
her contract calls for only 16 knots.
They expect that when the figures or
today's trial are revised and tidal allow
ances made, it will be found that she
actually averaged II knots on her run.
The trial was in charge of the United
States Naval Board of Inspection and
Survey. of which Rear Admiral Freder-
lex T. Rodgers is President and the
members of which included Captain
Robley ID. Evans and Chief Engineers
Charles K. Rocker, Commander Seaton
Schroeder and Lieutenant Commander
A. Y. Seane.
The testing of the battleship was ac-
complished without mishap of any sort
and at its conclusion was declared to
be satisfactory by members of the naval
board, Mr.. c. b. circuit, of the New
port News Company, and by Captain
G. NJ. Chester, who is to command the
vessel.
The wind was strong from the north
east and it threw UP a rather heavy sea
into which the vessel repeatedly plunged
her bow, dipping up quantities of water,
which rolled along the forward deck
until it found outlet through the soup
pers.
This head wind and sea President
circuit said, doubtless had some re-
tarding influence on the battleshp on
her outward run and on the way back,
striking her heavily at the stern, had a
tendency to throw her off the direct
course but due consideration was given
all these conditions before start was
made.
The battleship took an hour and a
half to rum down to the starting point
of her course. During this time SHE had
been increasing her speed steadily. She
was not ready to cross the line when She
reached the United States tlIgboat Pts
cataqua, which was the first mark boat.
Consequently She made a wide sweep sea
ward, swerying frst to starboard and
then TO port, to give time for the steam
to reach the desired point and the reyo-
lutions of the propellerc to increase
their force.
BY this proceeding more than an hour
was taken mp and it was 10:27:37 -
when the Kentucky crossed tine line, at
Al,
ed themselves before her, then diving
into them ait top speed.
The course was sixty-cix miles, the
vessel covered the thirty three knots
outward and turning making the Same
distance back.
The Kentucky covered the first leg of
the course i'm twemty-three minutes and
fo.ty-six seconds, showing speed of
1868 knots. On the second leg she
made the slowest time during the trial.
cover the distance in twemty-three
minutes and fifty-fve and "A half seconds
or at speed of 1861 knots. On the
next three legs she increased steadily I'M
til she reached l7.01S knots ON the fifth
leg, which she made in twenty three
minutes and thirteen and n half seconds
She took 20 minutes liz seconds por
the turn ait the end of the outward
run. On the return she averaged 16.932
knots, exceeding II knots on the first and
last legs.
The final division of the course was
covered i'm tine fastest time made during
the day, y minutes 81 seconds, or at a
speed of 1924 knots.
After passing the Piscataqlla on her
return, the Kentucky was thrown
around i'm circle. She completed the
turn in about three times her length
and her list in performing the manoeu-
yer was about three degrees. When she
had completed the circle she laid her
course Cor Boston. She dropped anchor
in President Roads just about 5 o'clock.
Following is the SUMMARY of the triad:
Average 23.153. 1892. Total aver
ages 23.236, 16.S77.
Start, 10:27:37; finish, first leg, ~:
24:39.
Time of turn, 20:175.
Retusn start, 12:44:565; finish, ,:
Al :13.
Elapsed time outward, 1:57:015.
ELAPSED time return, 1:56:165.
Average revolutions of engines, H.
60; steam pressure. 1G3 to ~ pounds;
horsepower developed Approximately,
1850.
The Kentucky will immediately return
to Newport News where the finishing
touches will be given her.