The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-29

Boston, Aug. 29.-The battleship Ala
bama is the queen of the seas. No other
fighting craft of her class, the world over,
can equal her in speed
on her trial trip yesterday she made an
average of II knots an hour, and at the
highest point touched 1903 knots. 1t was
a remarkable performance and an addi-
tional proof that Americans can build
the feetest as we'll as stanchest fight
ing ships in the world
A FLYING START.
The Alabama a half second short of
1O:30 yesterday morning passed the Texas
on a flying start at 1859 knots. Then the
great race was underway I'm earnest.
The engine room from pit to dome was
saturated with oil. 1t made the narrow
metal steps and gratings dangerously
slippery. and even the ratings were moist
and sticky. A dozen barrels of sperm
oil were used up keeping the machinery
in proper condition during that voyage
against friction and water
Nearly 100 tons of coal were consumed
quite miniature mountain of fuel to
be shoveled into the fiery mouths of
furnaces In heat that was almost un-
bearabe
in the stalking of her course the AL
ALBANIA was distinguished by the presence
OF five sister battleships, instead of or
binary tugs, something that was never
done before.
After the Texas, which marked the be-
ginning OF the course, came the tug Os-
ceola, a government boat, the Kearsarge,
the Kentucky, the Iowa and the Massa-
chusetts. THESE were stationed &c knots
apart, the distance between the Texas off
Gloucester and the Massachusetts,. off
Boon Island, on the Maine coast, being
SO nautical miles.
When she arrived off Cane Ann the
Alabama encountered a head sea, which
was by no means heavy for that quar-
ter, and light northeast breeze. The
spray that swept across her bow ducked
the men and youngsters who had been
feasting their gaze on the bow breakers
and caused considerable amusement.
SCHOONER IN THE PATH.
While bearing down on the second stake
boat a lumber schooner heavily laden,
crossed the Alabama's path. and she
didn't have much time to spare. on the
third leg the wind slackened and the
sea became unusually calm these very
favorable conditions prevailing from that
until the finish
AS the new battleship plowed over the
course she was saluted by numerous
pleasure craft, which i'm some cases
swarmed with camera fends. Now and
then one of these venturod a triie too
close and paid for IL by a severe rock
ing in the angry waves. Countless tel
escopes were trained on her from the
shore, which was lost to view at times.
The crews OF the sister battleships were
all on deck as she passed. presenting an
inspiring sight. but none compared with
the picturesqucncss which the Kear-
sarge, the third stake boat, present.
ed. This was a strange coinci-
dence too, I'm view of the his
toric relations OF these two names. As
she plunged I'm the direction OF the
Kearsarge the thought that IL these
two ships were rivals then, there
might be different results from that
of the battle of Cherbourg. France.
on the memorable June 10. 1854, was ir-
repressiblc.
'Itut fortunately these two names were
then linked by the bands OF peace as was
evlnced by the three lusty cheers that
broke from the crew OF The Kcnrsargc
when tire Alabama swept proudly past.
Tho canvas-clad sailors OF the Kearsarcc
swarnod on the turrcts rails and every
available foot OF space forward. waving
hats and swinging arms as they cheered
The sun made the white hull which was
pointing head on appear doubiy respIon-
dent as it stood out I'm bold relief against
the expense OF water It was n picture
more easily imagined than described.
Reaching the Massachusetts,, at the