Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-06
BROKE ALL RECORDS,
The Trial Trip Of the BatteshIp
ReaIsaTge'
SURPASSED EXPECTATIONS,
1t is Said Her Speed Vas Phe'
nOmenal.
MADE OVER SEVENTEEN KNOTS.
And This, Too, Notwithstanding the
r.ct Tbat the Vessels Bottom
WINS FouI-Nucbincry Underwent
the severest Tests.

GINA CAPES. Septenoer O.-NpPSN'"iJ
The first-class battleship kearsarse
was given her builders trial trip to-
day by the Newport News Ship-BuildinS
and Dry-.)ock Company. She easily sur
passed all speed requirements of the con-
tract. and established her claim to the
distinction of being the queen Of the
American navy.
The excellent work of the first battle
ship built at Newport News was accom-
plished to-day under conditions which viii
be greatly improved before the Official
trial trip takes place the latter part OF
this month.
HER SPLENDID RECORD.
The Kearsarge steamed twenty-five
miles outside of the Virginia Capes, and
in water ranging in depth from only ID
10 Il fathoms, reached q maximum speed
of 17i4 knots The officials Of the com
pany and the naval officers aboard con-
fdently expect 10 see the ship make
speed Of fully IS knots on her official
trial. True, the weather conditions TO-
day were as favorable as could be desired,
but on the othhr hand, the Kearsarge's
bottom is covered with growth fully
year old. and her displacement and draft
to-day were but a triie below what they
will be when the ship goes into COM
mission. The vessel has not been in the
dry-dock since August 8, 1885, and in adj
dition TO the thick grass and foul growth
her bottom IS covered in some places with
oysters.
Observation-Disclosures tbaea conditions the
new ship to-day broke all speed records
for battleships and surpassed even the
expectations of her builders.
STOOD EVERY TEST.
When the Kearsarge left the ship-yard
this morning her builders expected 10
put her to a fifteen-hour test. but so
satisfactory was her performance on the
first run. under forced draft, that it was
deemed unnecessary to try for further
speed results and eleven hours after leay-
ing the ship-yard she tied up al her dock
again. On the out and return trips various
tests were made, all Of which were in
every way satisfactory.
The Kearsarge started on her trip at
G10 o'clock this morning, and as she
passed down the river into Hampton
Roads a large crowd lined the shore TO
get the first glimpse OF the monster de-
fender. Captain Faircloth, senior mas
ter Of the Ward Line, was aboard as
navigator for the trial trip, and Captain
Hand, of Philadelphia, was on hand TO
adjust the compasses. Several represen-
tatives of the Newport News Ship-Build-
ing and Dry-Dock Company were aboard.
THE OFFICERS ABOARD.
OF the officers who will be attached to
-. nh era mi
mission, there were aboard the battle.
ships commander, Captain w. NJ. Folger,
formerly chief of the Bureau Of Ordnance
and commander Of the cruiser New Or
leans during the war with Spain; Lieu
tenant Commander @. a. Merriam, TIE
executive officer; Lieutenant-Commander
James II. Sears. the navigator; Lieutenant
John NJ. Poyer, who will be one Of the
permanent officers, and Lieutenant George
r. Salisbury, chief engineer.
The Bureau Of Construction and Repair
was represented by Naval-COnstructor J.
J. Woodward and Mr.. Chase; the Bureau
Of Steam Engineering, by Lieutenant
Price, assistant inspector Of machinery;
the Bureau OF Equipment, by lieutenant
Commander Gaut and Lieutenant Ken
yon. The crew OF the ship numbered
30 picked men from the companys yard
force.
III CSh III NOl4CiND
Captain Chester boarded the ship from
a launch at Old Point Comfort where
another large crowd was gathered on the
pier TO see the Kearsarge pass. At 1850
o'clock, between Old Point and Thimble
light. in Hampton Roads. Il stop was
made 10 test the big anchors. Satisfied
with the working of the machinery ope-
rating the anchors, another start was
made. and In the vicinity OF the Capes
the compasses were adjusted. The Kear-
sarge passed the British steamship Usk,
which dipped her colOrs 10 the new ship.
After passing out Of the Capes the
ship was given turning test which
was a satisfactory surprise 10 all on
| board. In two and one-half minutes the
| big fighter made a complete semi-circle.
! This is undoubtedly the best record Tor
the big ships Of the navy. and II Is the
more surprising that the vessel OF the
greatest displacement should make the
turn in the quickest time. When the
speed run under forced draft was made,
| officials OF the company and naval at
| taches stood at the log 10 record the
| ships performance, and for half an
| hour she steamed ahead az a rate Of
! II IA knots an hour. As IL was very APP
parent that this speed made in shallow
water, could be easily maintained In
! deeper water the Kearsarge was turned
| about. and on the return trip the steer
! ing gear was tested from different sta
| lions. The telemoter, wire rope. and
hand methods were all tried and gave
| entire satisfaction. The officers who in
spected the engines while the ship was
out say that better engines were never
placed i'm she hull Of a warship.
CARRIED THE SIGNAL OF VICTORY
ALOFT.
When in sight Of Old Point Comfort
two seamen went 10 the mastheads, each
carrying a broom. As the vessel spec
along each man fastened his broom 70
the masthead and, returning 70 Newport
News with a bone I'm her teeth and with
all her signal-code flags flying the kear-
sarge carried the symbol Of victory alott.
The battleship now carries all Of her
lightweight except the guns OF the second
battery, and when these are mounted
her displacement will be ll.02 tons, as
required by contract Considering THIS
fact. her marvellous speed performance
to-day was all the more remarkable.
The Alabama, built by Cramps. only sue
ceeded I'm making a maximum speed OF
l72 knots last week with her displace-
ment 20O0 tons less than II must be nnal-
ly. and with all Of her guns and con-
siderable armor remaining TO be put on.
NAVAL MEN MUCH PLEASED.
Naval officers who witnessed to-day's
trial trip are confident the Kearsarge
will be able TO show a clean pair OF
heels 10 the latest Cramp-built ship. Cap
tain Folger and General-Supefintend
Post were lin buoyant spirits on the re-
turn trip. and expressed their pleasure
: al the work Of the new vessel. IL tac',