The San Francisco call., 1899-11-25
FAST RUN OF
THE KENTUCKY
Almost Seventeen Knots
an Hour.
COMES UP TO EXPECTATIONS
REQUIREMENT. OF CONTRACT
EXCEEDED.
Trial Run Is Made Against Tide,
Wind and Heavy Head Sea
for at Least Half of the
Course.
COMES UP TO EXPECTATIONS
REQUIREMENTS OF CONTRACT
EXCEEDED.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

BOSTON. Nov. 2i.-Against tide. wind
and a heavy head sea for at least half
her course the battleship Kentucky made
a record Of 1851 knots an hour to-day on
her official speed trial over the Govern
ment course from Cape Ann TO Boone
Island, and her work showed that she IS
a little faster than her sister ship, the
kearsarge. which recently was sent over
the same course. The trial satisfied her
builders, the Newport News Shipbuilding
and Drydock Company. that she can
justly be rated as a 7-knot vessel. al
though her contract calls for only sixteen
knots. They expect that when the figures
of to-day's trial are revised and tidal
allowances made II will be found that she
actually averaged seventeen knots on
her run.
The trial was in charge OF the United
States Naval Board Of Inspection and
Survey. of which Rear Admiral Frederick
L. Rodgers is president, and the members
of which included Captain Robley ID.
Evans and Chief Engineer Charles ROcl-
Ter. Commander Schroeder and Lieutenant
Commander A. V. Zane.
The wind was strong from the north
east and IL threw up a rather heavy sea-
into which the vessel repeatedly plunged
her bow. dipping up quantities OF water.
which rolleu along the forward deck
Until II found outlet through the scuppers.
This head wind and sea. said President
Z. Il. Orcutt OF the Newport News Com
pany, doubtless had some retardlng IN
nuence on the battleship on her outward
run ana on the way back. striking her
heavily at the stern and having a tend
ency 10 throw her of the direct course,
but due consideration was given all these
condiuoI1 before a start was made.
The United States tugboat P1scataqua
was the first markboat. 1t was 10:2S:311a
first leaping over the waves which raised
themselves before her, then diving into
the water at top speed.
The course was siXty-siX miles and II
was divided intovtive sections OF &C knots
each, the vessel covering the thirty-three
knots outward and turning. making the
which marked the divisions of the course
We're: Start, United States tug Pisca-
taqua: No. 2. United States battleshIp
Texas: No. 3, lighthouse tender May
flower; No. 4, lighthouse tender Lilac:
No. 5, United States tug Potomac; No.
6, United States tug Leyden.
The Kentucky covered the first leg of
the course in % minutes 46 seconds. show
ing q speed of 1858 knots. On the second
leg she made the slowest time during the
trial. covering the distance in % minutes
551a seconds. or at speed OF 1851 knots.
On the next three legs she increased
steadily until she reached 17.01S knots on
the NTH leg, which she made in % min
utcs 1872 seconds. She took 20 minutes
17Is seconds for the turn at the end OF the
outward run. On the return she averaged
1882 knots. exceeding seventeen knots on
the ITSl ana last legs.
The final division OF the course was COW
cred in the fastest time made during the
day-22 minutes 81 seconds. or at speed
of 17.24 knots.
After passing the Piscataqua on her
return the Kentucky was thrown around
in a circle. She completed the turn in
about three times her length and her list
IN performing the maneuver was about 3
degrees. When she had completed the
circle she laid her course for Boston. She
dropped anchor in President Roads lust
after o'clock. Following is a summary
of the trial:
Average, 2S:15.s; 1852. Total averages,
% 3:23.S; 1857.
S1art-10:27:37
Finish first leg-12:24:32
Time of turn-20:175.
Return-Start, 12:4i655.
Finish-2:4l:l3.
Elapsed time-Outward. 1:57:o1.5.
Elapsed time-Return, 1:56:165.
Average revolutions OF engines, 1926;
steam pressure. 163 TO 172 pounds: horse
power developed, approximately, 1850.
The Kentucky will Immediately return
to Newport News. where the finishing
touches will be given her.