New-York tribune., 1900-08-29
A NEW QUEEN OF NAVY.
THE ALABANIA's TRIAL SURPRISES
FORMER RECORDS
KNOTS MAINTAINED-RUN OF THE
KEARsARGE BEATEN.


KNOTS MAINTAINED-RUN OF THE
KEARsARGE BEATEN.
Boston Aug 2S.-There is a new queen OF the
American Navy, the United States battleship
Alabama, which to-day won the title in OF
the most magnificent speed trials yet held in the
history Of the United States Navy. Her average
speed for four hours continuous steaming was
II knots. figure not quite as high that made
by another great battleship produced from the
same builders yard three years ago-the Iowa
but notable from the fact that it gave an idea
OF the yet undeveloped power in this latest and
greatest product Of American shipbuilders. The
Alabama was built by the Cramps at Philadel-
phia, and while OF the first class, she is unlike
anv of the earlier creations both architecturaliy
and as a fighting machine. Built under con-
tract that required at least an average speed
Of IS knots an hour. she has been turned out
10 do II knots or better under conditions that
viii not be termed extra and as such she be
comes. probably. the fastest of the line OF Amer
-5ean baftle craft.
The Alabama. called after a favorite State of
the South has a name OF greater significance
to the American people. but 1t was not simply
because Of her name and the figure Of IT knots
she made that big broom was al her rOremast
truck as she dropped anchor tonight below
Boston Light a few months ago another ship
q
built by rival shipbuiIding firm at Newport
News was sent over the same course TO meet
the same requirements and under almost iden-
tfcal conditions. That other ship-the Kear-
sarge-vith a name even more famous and
linked Insolubly with that Of the Alabama
exceeded her contract figure and made an aver
age speed of 16 50 knots IF Kearsarge on a
dav famous in history had triumph over an
Alabama. q new craft of the same name to-day
achieved a triumph another Kearsarge-
aside from the desire Of the builders OF the
Alabama to produce a craft that would suit the
Government there was not little anxiety that
she beat the Kearsarge's figures made on No
veuber % last.
RECORDS OF FORMER WARSHIPS-
The II knot record to-day is not the highest
for speed trials but It is the highest for battle
ships since the bonus for extra speed has been
abolished.
The Iowa when she left her builders hands IN
1897 was officially recorded at 1TO4. Her speed
trial was made under the very best possible con-
ditions The Massachusetts and the Indiana.
which had preceded her, earned premiums for
the Cramps. but their speed did not equal that
of the Iowa Then. after lapse OF more than
two years. the Kentucky on September p and
the Kearsarge two months later came 10 the
New-England coast and under favorable but
not extraordinary conditions made higher hg-
ures Of 1851 and 1859 knots respectively
These figures have now been beaten by mar
row margin to be sure. but the Alabama ap-
parently not made 10 do more than little
beyond her mean speed.
The day for the trial excellent one
rather grayish overhead in the morning, but
clear and bright later with a smooth sea and
breeze sufficient TO temper the sunshine. The
company on board as guests Of the builders was
the largest since the days Of the Brooklyn and
Minneapolis trials. After early start OF the
tugs from the city wharves, their passengers
were landed on the batteships deck about
o'clock, and then she slowly put TO sea, with Mr.
Lawler. the pilot assisting Captain R. W. sar-
gent as navigator.
BATTLEsHIPs AS sTAKEBOATs.
It was after 10 o'clock when the great craft
was we'll down the coast toward the starting
line which this time was five miles southeast Of
Thatcher Island Lights. near the extremity OF
Cape Ann. The course then about north
northeast for thirty-three nautical miles. d.
vided as near as triangulation could make them
into fve legs over this course the battleship
was 10 do her four hours OF steaning. and IN ad-
dition she was TO be tested for control and steer
ing power An interesting feature, and, as IL
proved a somewhat picturesque one, was the
use OF sister battleships stakeboats. fve or
them being lined up TO see the greatest OF them
all go by There was the Texas. Of the second
class the Massachusetts, and the Indiana which
have already proved their worth, and the Ken
lucky and the Kearsarge. which had gone into
commission while the Alabama was being made
ready for test,
The Alabama came down TO the starting line
about 1870 o'clock under fair headway and
went by as II on a cruise The first stakeboat
was the Texas and in the clear light the people
on the Cape Ann shore could have seen the
marine spectacle with ease and also watched the
newcomer until she had passed the Osceola. the
second mark. The third leg marked by the