The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-09-03
ALABAMA is QUEEN OF NAVY
NEW BATTLESHIP MADE A FINE
SPEED RECORD.
Trial Was Held Off Boston Last
Tuesday Morning and Was
Highly Satisfactory.

Boston. August 2S.-There is ner
queen OF the American navy, the United
States battleship Alabama, which today
won the title In one OF the most magnif-
cent speed trials yet held in the history
of the navy. Her average speed for four
hours continuous steaming was seven
teen knots. figure not quite as high as
that made by the Iowa but notable from
the fact that II gave an idea of the yet
undeveloped power in this latest product
of American ship builders.
The Alabama was built by the Cramps
at Philadelphia, and while OF the first
class. she is unlike any of the earlier
creations both architecturally and as a
fighting machine. Built under a contract
that required at least an average speed
of sixteen knots per hour, she has been
turned out to do seventeen knots, or bet
ter, under conditions that Will not be
termed extra.
The Iowa. when she left her builders
hands in 1897. was officially recorded at
170i. Her speed trial was made under
the very best possible conditions. After
a lapse of more than two years the
Kentucky, on September 24th. and the
Kearsarge, two months later. came to
the New England coast and under favor
able. but not extraordinary conditions.
made figures Of 1851 and 1853 knots, re-
spectively. Those figures have now been
beaten, and the Alabama ran little faster
than her mean speed. An interesting feat
ure was the use of sister battleships as
stake boats. five of them being lined up.
There was the Texas. Massachusetts. In
diana, Kentucky and Kearsarge-
Cheered from Kearsarge-
The Alabama came down to the start
ing line about 1880 under fair Roadway.
and went by the first stake boat, the
Texas. and then the United States steam
ship Osceola, the second mark The
third leg was marked by the Kearsarge.
and as the Alabama went by. now at
great speed, Captain FOlger had his
jackies lined up and cheered her aha q
cheer went back.
The fourth mark was the Kentucky.
the fifth the Indiana and the outmark
was the Massachusetts.
The Alabama crossed the finish line
about $50, with a blast from her own
and fleet OF tugs gathered there with
excursionists. Afterwards the ship was
again circled at full speed with the
Texas rs the center until she was cleav-
ing a wake which in diameter was not
over twice her length. Fifteen minutes
later the Alabama was headed for Boston
light. the red flag of the trial replaced
by the Cramps house flag and c broom
had been sent alOft.
Only a Fair Days Work.
The trial throughout. TO use E. g.
Cramps own words, was q success in
every particular. For nearly three legs
of the outward run the boilers made
steam so fast that the surplus was al
lowed to blow off. The maximum revolu-
lions of the engines were us, and this
figure was only for n half hour. the mean
being much below this. The highest
steam pressure was $50 pounds, or nine
under the limit. The horse power devel-
oped was supposed to he Il, 800. although
this figure. like those for the speed, will
be officially given at Washington. Mr.
Cramp said that the run, in his opinion
in which many OF the naval men abroad
agreed. was not a forced trial but a
fair days work which he claimed can
be equaled al any time under ordinary
conditions The Alabama viii be ready
for delivery 10 the government in six
weeks when she viii go into commission
under Captain W II. Brownson.