Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-09-12
Kearserge Will Be Put to the
Test Sept. Is.
THE CONSTRUCTORS REPORT
ar' Woodward No,in>s the Navy Depart
1aeeas That the Ship is Ready. The
Alabama VIII Not Go Iu,o Com
'"isston Is, fore the New Year.

her official trial trip off the Massachu.
Ss'ts coast, September 25
Ihat date has been officially set for
the trfaS at the request of the New
port News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock
Company. and upon the recommends
COn of Admiral Hichborn who has -
ceivcd reports from the naval officials
mere about the ships condition.
Inc big defender is in splendid shape
ana VIII surely reflect great credit upon
her builders when she is put to a speed
trlt;l
IL is generally undc.r'2al now that
Nhe kearsarse will leave the shpyard
next Saturday for the BROOKLYN navy
yard. there to be locked and cleaned.
The statement made in SUNDAYS
Daily Press that the ship would prob
ably be locked until the 25t:, ana would
rot SO on her trial trip until the 2Sth,
was published on the strength Of a
ispeclal dispatch from Washington to q
New York paper. which is usually re-
'llaple. Ihls paper stated that the COM
paly mad requested the use of the
Brooklyn dry dock on the 2Jth, but it
was misnformed
The following special from Washing
ton appeared in yesterdays New York
Herald:
Acting Secretary Allen has approx
ed the request Of the Newport Newa
ShfpbuildinS and Dry Dock Company
that the battleship kearsarge undergo
her Official trial trip on September, %.
This action was taken upon the recon-
mcndation Of Admiral Hickborn. Who
has received reports from Naval Con
Structor Woodward and the company
regarding the present progress of the
wa a ~,
and 13-inch guns and the armor for
their turrGts are now in position. n,
we'll as the other a,u1or for the YES
sci.
With due vigilance says Mr.
Woodward, 4 believe it possible for the
contractors to complete the installa ton
Of the turret turning controller for the
forward turret. SO that it may be ro-
iatcd while at sea. 1t would appear
that the condition Of the vessel when
submitted by The contractors for her
official trial will be as as required BY
the department to the effect that all
the turrets ard turret guns must be in
place before trial.
1T would further appear that the
condition Of the vessel would be such
as to confirm the opinion as to her be-
havior and strength in a seaway. when
eNtiaIllllSu ny u lltal DOtitu, on i.er OIL
cial trial. 1t must be understood,
however. that the condition Of the YES
sci cannot be described as practically
completed.
Tho department. has designated a
course thirtythree miles long off Cape
Ann. Mass, for the speed trial, lur.n5 Z
which the Iearsarge must make an
average speed Of sixteen knots per hour
for four hours. II accepted. the work
remaining on the ship Will be rapidly
completed, in order that she may be
placed in commission next month. Pre-
partitions for her detail of officers ard
men are now being made. Captain w.
M. Folser Will be the first commanding
officer of the ship.
The battleship Alabama will proba-
bly, not be placed in commission before
the new year. The last group of case
mate arInor was accepted several days
ago and will have to be put in position,
but her turret armor has not yet been
delivered. In fact, the ballistic trial Of
this group Will not occur for a month";
and the plates cannot be in position for
several months"