Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-26
7 H E HOLLAND BOAT
Arrangements for the Destroyer's Tests Not
Yet Completed
Preparations VIII he in Progress for
Several Days-Interesting Facts
About the Wonder.

The announcement in the morning papers
that the submarine torpedo boat Holland
would be given an official test over the
one-mile course on the Potomac near Fort
Washington tomorrow was surprising news
to Capt. Cable, its commander, and Mr.. c.
E. Crecy, the resident representative of the
Holland Boat Company. 1t was entirely
without founoation, as the arrangements
for the trial Of the vessel have not been
completed, and will not be for several days,
and 1t will not be official in the accepted
meaning of that word. The official test
was made off Long Island. in November
last, as stated in last Saturdays Evening
Star, before a board of naval officers ap-
pointed for the purpose by Secretary Long.
who prescribed in the order assembling the
BOARD the several requirements the nol-
land should meet
The report Of the board stated that these
requirements, which included the firing of
torpedoeS while upon the surface AT fulI
speed, and while submerged beneath the
water, also at full speed, were fully COM
piled with.
The Coming Trials
The approaching trials in the Potomac
Will be several in number. and are intended
to acquaint the secretary and the assistant
secretary of the navy, the members of the.
naval committees of the Senate and House
Of Representatives, the chiefs of the yari-
Gus naval bureaus and other naval officers
with the actual abilities of the Holland
A trial trip will also be made TO afford
newspaper representatives an opportunity
to see what the little wonder can do.
me inventor. Mr.. Joseph Holland. is now
IN New York, bur will come to Washington
Thursday morning Secretary A. r. Frost
VIII arrive here TO night and Engineer F. b.
Vefcn tomorrow. The latter will again
Visit Inc proposed course on the steam
yacht Josephine. which is the Holland
tender. and make few changes that are
deemed desirable. Numerous requests are
being received by the representatives of the
Holland company from persons who desire
10 examine the mysteries of mechanism
which are contained in the hull but per
mission to enter through the turret has
been refused to all
The tests through which the Holland will
be put on her trials Will include the firing
OF Whitehead torpcdoes at n flag target
both upon the surface and while sub
merged. and her control in every way while
above and under water.
Course VIII Re Kept Clear
While the tests are being carried out the
course in the river will be kept clear of all
craft to a distance that vii! prevent their
interference with either the Holland or the
Josephine, and consequently, if the inten-
ton expressed by several enterprising boat
owners 10 lilkfN excursion parties down 20
witness the trials is carried out they will
rot, it is declared, be able to get near
enough to the trial course to permit pas
sengers TO witness any Of the evolutions.
Congress Interested
Great interest Is beng shown in the re
suit Of the trials, not only by the naval Of
ficials, but by senators and representatives
as well. who are pretty generally consider
ing the improvement of the navy, which
the new extension of American power will
make necessary, and there is a big demand
for the documents containing the reports
OF the naval board which observed the
Hollands official trial. of Chief Engineer
John Lowe, U. S. N, who was also present
and who was on abe boat during large
part of the time during that trial.
The Holland company has completed the
specifications of two additional boats of the
Holland type, which will be improved de-
stroyers, of greater power and higher speed
and have broader facilities.