The evening times., 1900-10-06
VARIAG'S SPEED TRIAL
New Russian Cruiser Travels at a
Record Breaking Rate.
Avera ge of Tvvenfy-three Knots Made
During Il TvyeIye-Hour Trip-aIn-
ehinery Worked Without a Hitch.
The Czar's Naval Officials Delight
ed With the Vessels Performance.

PHILADELPHIA. Oct 6-With a record
of twenty-three and one-quarter knots av-
erage speed. made in trial lasting twelve
hours. the Russian cruiser Variag will re-
turn to Philadelphia today, the queen OF
the seas. The big warship exceeded her
speed requirements by one-fourth of
knot. The record smashing rate was at
tanned under natural draft, and in the face
OF a strong northeast gale and buffeting
swell During all of the twelve hours
test the cruisers speed hardly varied. Be-
sides reeling off the knots at an average
faster than any warship ever built ex-
cepting torpedo boats, the Variag behaved
beautifully throughout the trial There
were. no accidents to machinery and no
hitch in the steering gear. No attempt
was made to equal the maximum speed of
2i.6 knots made on her previous trial on
July go but the idea carried out was 20
satisfy the heaviest requirements ever laid
upon an American or foreign-bu warship.
the NaTiag's trial was accomplished all
er troubles that for time threatened To
make postBonement necessary After
her repairs had been made last week, and
she had been put into the pink of condi-
ton, unexpected difficulties were met. Tns
trip from Cramps shipyard to the Break
water. last Saturday. was uneyentful. but
upon the arrival tnare conditions were
found to be against q successful trial
There was a heavy sea, also a gale of wind
and rain. and the Variag had to lay to and
wait better weather
The cruiser was kept waiting from Mon
until hun -5ar-
that the appetites OF the 400 men on
board had entirely depleted the larder 1t
was at first thought that supplies would
nave TO De sent from Philadelphia, but
tugs were secured and a raid was made
instead, on Lewes, Del There were pur-
chased LOO chickens, % beeves, 125 doz-
ems CT eggs, 125 sheep, 4G0 sacks Of oys-
ters, and 81, $50 worth of fish before Ilewes
was bought out. The balance OF the sup
plies We're secured at other places along
the southern peninsula.
All was ready for the trial on Thursdsy
morning. At that time a heavy sea was
running, and the wind still swept with
great force from the northeast, but the
Nariag started on her test, notwithsland-
ing
The run was made to sea east, from five
fathom bank lightship. A speed of 23
knots was quickly reached under natural
quired twelve hours the ship reeled off the
flying knots, steadily and without seem
ing efIoIt- The log line showed that a
speed of 23A knots was being made, and
from that the ship scarcely varied
throughout the test
A close watch was kept on the rnachin-
cry, but everything worked perfectly
without a break or even heated bearings
The ship was turned and maneuvred and
she answered perfectly to the helm. Speed
and stability were shown to be lot the
only remarkable qualities OF the ship, but
her cruising radius was shown to be 5000
miles. or loco miles in excess of con-
tract requirements. That is, she could
steam that distance without recoaling.
After the trial. over the result of which
the Russian officers grew enthusiastic, the
Narlag was brought into the bay, and yes
teTGay was spent III experimenting with her
steering gear and adjusting all electrical
apparatus The ship is expected TO arrive
at Cramps shipyard some time today
Edwin S. Cramp and his associates from
the shipyard left the Variag at Lewes last
evening. and returned home by train All
were enthusiastic over the cruisers per
formances and declared the new cruiser to
be peerless in her class.
In speaking of the vessels trial last
night. Charles H. Cramp said the require
ments laid upon fer builders were the most
severe yet imposed either in this country
or abroad. when I was in Russia and an
nounced myself willing to meet the imposed
requirements" stated Mr.. Cramp there
were many Russian experts of high stand
ing who declared the requirements to be
unattainable. I felt certain we could meet
them though, and have never doubted the
result, Besides her remarkable speed, the
cruiser is unusual in her enor-
nous coal-carrying capacity" AS
q result of the success of the
Variag, Mr.. Cramp said he understood that
vessels on similar lines would be built for
the French and German navies
Immediately upon the return of Edwin s.
Cramp from the trial he was met by John
D. Spreckles, President of the Oceanic
Steamship Company, and the two had u
conference. The steamship Sierra has just
been completed by the Cramps for that
line, and it is said that the details of her
trial were arranged at the conference. She
will ply between Australian ports and San
Francisco, as will her sister ships the So
loma and Ventura. which the Cramps are
also building