The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-25
And a Heavy Head Sea, on Her Run
Over the Government Course.
A SEVENTEEN KNOT VESSEL
Her Builders Think that When Tidal
Allowances are Made IL Will he
Found that the kentucky
Actually Averaged IL Knots
on Her Run - There
Was no Mishap.

BOSTON, MASS, Nov. 2i-Against tide,
wind and a heavy head sea Tor at least
half Of her course. the new battleship
kentucky made a record Of 1851 knots
an hour to-day on her Official speed trial
over tie government course from Cape
Ann 10 Boone Island, and by her work
showed that she is a ii,tle faster than
her sister ship, the Kearsarge, which re-
Gently was sent over the same course
The trial satisfied her builders, the New
port News Shipbuildins and Dry Doch
Company, thar she can justly be rated as
Il l,-knot vessel. although her contract
calls for only 10 knots They expect that
when the fgurcs of tO-day's trial are re-
ysed aud the tidal allowances made. il
viii De found that she actually averaged
IL knots ou her run.
The trial was in charge OF the United
States Naval Board of Inspection and
Survey. of which Rear-Admiral FREDERICK
T. Rodgers is president, aud the memhers
ot when included Captain Robley ID.
Evans and Chief Engineer Charles X.
Rocker, Commander Seaton Schroeder
and Lieutenaut-C Commander a. Y. Sc3ne.
The testing Of the hattleship was ac-
and at its conclusion was declared To be
satisfactory by members of the naval
board Mir. e.. b. circuit, of the Newport
News Company. ana by Captain G. NJ.
Chester, who is to command the vessel
4 STRONG WIND
The wind was strong from the north
cast aud it threw up 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 scuppcrs.
This headwind and sea, President or
cutt said. doubtless had some retarding
influence ON the batteship on her out
ward run and ON the way back, striking
her heavily az the stern, had a tendency
90 throw her off the direct course, but
due consideration was given all these con-
d.tious before "a start was made.
The battleship took an hour and a half
90 run down 10 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 tug-boat Pis-
cataqua. which was the first mark boat
Consequently she made a wide sweep east
ward. swcrying hrst 10 starDoard and
then To- port. to give time for the steam
tO reach the desired point and the revo-
lutious or the propellers 10 increase their
force. By this proceeding more than an
hour was taken up. and IL was l0.Z7:5l l-2
when the Kentucky crossed The line. at
first leaping over the waves which raised
themselves before her, then diving into
them at top speed.
THE COURSE.
The course was sixty-siX miles, the
vessel covering the % knots outward,
making the same distance back. The
Kentucky covered the first leg OF the
course in % minutes and % seconds, show
ing "a speed on 1868 knots. on the sec
ond leg she made the slowest time during
the trial. covering the distance in . min
utes s. l-2 seconds, or al speed OF lb'1l
knots. ON the next three legs she IN
creased steadily until she reached lL0N
knots on the fifth leg, which she made IN
y minutes. 131-2 seconds. She took 20
minutes. Il l-2 seconds for the turn at the
end OF the outward run.
on the return she averaged l0's52 KNOTS
exceeding II knots on the nrst ana las'
legs. The dnaI division OF the course was
covered i'm the fastest time made during
the day. % minutes. 81 seconds, or at
speed of 1854 knots.
IN A CIRCLE.
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 manoeuyre was
about degrees.
When she had completed ithe circle she
laid her course for Boston. She dropped
anchor in President Roads just after
O'Clock
Following Is the summary Of the trial:
Average. 23,153, 1G.932.
Total averages. 28 822S; 1851.
Start l027:37: Finish first leg 122i:39.
Time Of turn 0175. Return start 12:i4:56.
Finish 2:H.l8 Elapsed time outward
1.57.0l. Elapsed time return 1886. Aver
age revolutions of engines 1926: steam
pressure l63 TO l72 pounds, horse power
developed approximately n,5o0. The
Kentucky will Immediately return 10
Newport News. whore the finishing
touches will be given her.