The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-20

PHILADELPHIA. Aug 20.-Half hun
dred men worked all day yesterday at
Cramps shipyards getting the splendid
new battleship Alabama ready for her Of
fetal speed trial. which takes place this
week. Captain CT the Yard Radford Sar-
gent was present to direct the work Of
preparation. Everything viii be in readi-
ness for the start down the river at 4
o'clock this afternoon. although the de-
Darture may be delayed until tomorrow
morning
As arranged. the tests TO be made will
occupy weeks time. The route covered
will be from here to the Breakwater,
thence to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. and
from the latter point to the extreme east
coast of Massachusetts. where the official
speed course has been marked out, ex-
tending from point OFF the extreme east
ern coast TO Cape Porpoise, Maine; thence
TO Portland, Me-. and from there 10 Bos-
ton. STOPS are to be made at the Break
water where the CTamp FIRMS agent, John
Hand. will adjust the compasses, and at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard. where the yes
sci is TO be locked and given two coats Of
sea paint and anti-fouling material
Including experts for the Government,
representatives of the firm of Cramps
visitors and sailors. machinists and oilers,
more than goo persons will be aboard dur
ing the run.
More than a week aso Acting Secretary
OF the Navy Hackett Selected the follow
ing experts TO represent his department:
| Admiral ROBBERS. Capt Robley B. Evans,
| Commanders HemphiII and Rocker, Ma
! val Constructor Kapp,~ and Lieutenant
| Commanders Vreeland and Henderson
| Cramp & Sons, the builders. are 10 be rep
| resented by Edwin s. Cramp who viii be
| in general charge; Chief Engineer A. p.
| Towne and his assistant, ]. Harry Null
! and Capt Radford Sargent of the Cramp
| yard, is 10 be in command OF the vessel
Among the guests are 10 be Captain BT0n-
; son and prominent naval officers from New
! York. Washington and Philadelphia
During the trip the severest test of the
| huge vessel VIII be 10 maintain d speed
/ OF sixteen knots for four consecutive hours
| The attempt 10 fulfill this requirement vii
| Be made between Cape Ann. Mass and
! Cape PGrpOise. Me, During the builders
! trial. several weeks ago, the Alabama did
! 17.6 knots per hour for this period. Ac-
! cordingly little fear is felt that she will
| not easily make the required rate
/ Judging from the preparations which
! have been going on AZ the CFamp yards
| for TWO days past nobody on the trip will
! suffer from lack of the good things always
| accessories TO such trips. No vessel was
ever equipped with a better larder for a
| weeks cruise than that put aboard the
| Alabama.
At the Cramp yards yesterday 1t was
stated that every rcd and biz Of metal
| about tae vessel had been polished Until
| it. glistened like molten metal. but that
| most of today would be required to com
! plete the thorough overhauling. examina-
ton. and inspection incidental 70 the start
down the river. Edwin Cramp and Other
| heads Of the departments at the shipyaTdg
| were out of the city yesterday. but il was
| stated that all would return home today
and would be at the yards in time TO re-
ceive those who are TO go on the trial run