Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-29
.ALABAMA'S TRIAL. TRIP
SHE MADE A KNOT BETTER THAN
CONTRACT SPEED.
She May Become the Fastest Battle
Ship In the Navy-Cheered
by Other Crews.

On her trial trip yesterday in Massachu-
sets bay the new battle ship Alabama
made an average of seventeen knots an
hour for four hours over the thirty three
knot measured course off Cape Ann. This
was knot better than the contract speed,
but was trifle less than the battle ship
Iowa made on her official trial trip, in
April, 1897. The Iowa's record was 1905
knots an hour.
1t is believed that tidal corrections will
favor the Alabama, and that she may be
the fastest battle ship in the United States
navy. The official statement of the trial
will not be made until the data shall have
been submitted to the Secretary of the
Navy.
The most remarkable performance of the
Alabama was the speed which she attained
over the third lap of the course going north.
The time Of this squirt of SO knots showed
that she was moving at the rate Of more
than eighteen knots an hour probably the
highest speed that a frst-class battle ship
ever made at any time.
The one prime fact developed by the trial
Is that the ship made full knot in excess
Of her contract speed. This in the days Of
premiums for speed above contract would
have netted about $4,000 for the builders,
but the Alabama was built for $2,65O,OO.
exclusive Of armor. and with no bonus
whatever for excess of speed. The addi-
tional speed meant merely another achieve
ment for the Cramps.
The use of battle ships for stake boats
proved wise step, although not as neces-
sary as would have been the case on a
thick or misty day. The weather condi-
lions were absolutely ideal for the run-in
fact, could not have been better.
The battle ships made the steering Of the
Alabama an easy matter, for they could
be seen clearly. The six stake boats were
anchored at distance of SO knots apart.
The Alabama made straight for the
course. having warmed up to her work dur
ing the run to the cape, and swung over
the start with a rush, though her speed
seemed to be r de without much effort.
An onlooker scarcely realized that she was
moving as fast as was really the case.
Her screws were making 1917 turns
minute she settled on her run. They
turned 115 at twenty minutes of IL o'clock,
and kept for long time between ia and
revolutions woald give the sixteen knots
required. The boilers were making steam
In steady manner. There seemed to be
no sudden jumps of steam pressure.
1t was announced that the ship was al
ready making sixteen and three-quarter
knots and the crowd on board became more
excited. The OsceOla was passed at seven
minutes of II o'clock and figures taken at
this time showed that the pace for the first
section of the course was about seventeen
knots. At this juncture a staid old mer-
chant schooner crossed the battle ship
bow, close on, and nearly met disaster.
The magnificent Kearsarge doomed up
ahead and then occurred the most inter-
esting episode of the day. The Kearsarge
fairly swarmed with men. They filled the
military tops. When the Alabama swept
by. as If to efface the last trace of feeling
over the fearful fight of nearly thirty years
ago, the men of the Kearsarge gave three
thunderous cheers
The Kentucky. Indiana and Massachusetts,
were all passed In rapid succession. The
great squirt of the day was between the
Kearsarge and the Kentucky.
The figures of Capt Redwood d. Sargent
commanding for the builders. and of the
trial board, were based on Greenwich time
Neither speed estimates were official. The
two offer basis of comparison. The total
average given by the board for the run up
and back is about a hundredth of a knot
under the seventeen knots really made by
the ship. because the averages for each leg
Of the course were given only to the second
decimal point. The third decimal would
have resulted in showing a speed above sew
enteen knots
1t was one of the most spectacular trials
ever held, due to the presence of all the
battle ships of the North Atlantic squadron
and the splendor of the day at sea. Resi-
dents of Rockport, who were in fine po-
sition to see the start and finish viewed her
passage with interest. Soon after 2 O'Clock
In the afternoon black column of smoke
indicated her approach on the way back,
and she came down the line, passing the
many yachts and excursion boats as though
they were anchored
EDWIN 3 tramp SAID tnat not g. drop or
water was used upon any journal and live
steam was not used in any of the receivers.
The run was really fair, every day posi-
bility, he said. The tactical diameter of the
turn made by the ship was 100 to 500 feet, a
remarkable curve for ship nearly 400 feet
long He said that the boilers maintained
a steam pressure Of $50 pounds to the square
inch, even blowing off for extended pc
Rod during the run. An approximate horse
power of IL. 500 pounds was developed.
The screw revolution averages for the
port engine were 1853 to the minute on the
run north, and las the return trip
while the starboard engine averaged respec-
lively has and 1882.
The entire average of the port engine was
115.3. and Of the starboard engine ia To-
gether they averaged 114.6 over the entire
course.
Mr.. Cramp said that he expects to deliver
the vessel to the government within six
weeks. The Alabama is more nearly com
pleted than any other ship which has been
tried out over the Cape Ann course. All
of her boats and all except some of the
small guns are on board.