Evening star., 1901-06-26
REPORT ON THE WISCONSIN
DEFECTS IN BOILERS AND IN THE
WIRING.
With Few Exceptions, the Specffca.
tions Of the Contract Have Been
Carried Out.

The Navy Department has received the
report of the board appointed to conduct
the final trial Of the U. s. s. Wisconsin.
Captain Henry Glass was president of the
board. The vessel proceeded to sea from
San Francisco at e:40 am, June IA, and
remained at sea for a period OF forty-eight
hours, during which time the trial board
made thorough examination Of her ma
chtnery. The vessel was subjected to a
two-hour full speed trial under natural
draught, and the board reports that she
made an average speed of 1873 knots per
hour. The indicated horse power was
1890
The board reported that the comparative
iy small amount>of uncompleted work on
the vessel was due partly to the recent
labor trouble at San Francisco over which
the contractors had no control 1t also
found that the uncompleted work in ord
nance, as listed in the preliminary report
of the trial board has been satisfactorily
completed with few unimportant ex-
ceptions, and that there are no defects
or workmanship in the installation for
which the contractors should be held re-
SponS1ble. The speed requirements for
supply of ammunition were not attained
but the board reports that the deficiency
was due to the tnexperience and size of the
handling force, the mechanical appliances
being fully capable Of handling ammunition
at the required speed under proper con-
ditions.
The battery of the vessel was sufficiently
hred to prove to the board that the guns
gun carriages and their fittings and ap-
purtenances work properly, and that the
vessel is sufficiently strong to stand the
shock caused by firing
The board reports that the wiring system
does not work satisfactorily and is entirely
inefficient as a means of interior communi-
cation. The board is of opinion that the
contractors should ascertain the cause of
the defects In the system and put them In
good order. The searchlightS Were reported
to be below contract requirements, but II
is stated that this result may have been due
to the fact that the atmosphere was some
what hazy when the lights Were tested.
The Boilers Unsatfsfactory.
The condition of the boilers was not en-
tirely satisfactory to the board. From the
history OF their service, and from present
appearance" says the board 'it Is evident
that the best of workmanship has not been
secured in their building. Five of the eight
boilers have had and still have numerous
leaks at stay bolts in back connections at
furnace overlap seams, also in back con-
nections, and at ends Of the lower main
stays over furnaces both front and back
The fact that the three remaining boilers
have no such serious leaks, although per-
forming the same duty, shows that the de-
fects do not lie In the design and the board
is of the opinion that the faults are d.
rectly attributable to inferior workman
manship at these points. The contractors
should be required to thoroughly remedy
this work and place the boilers in a salts
factory condition soon as possible"
During this trial the weather was cloudy
and hazy. The sea was smooth with light
to gentle breezes on starboard beam and
quarter. The board finds that with the ex-
ceptions noted the specifications of the
original contract as modified by various de-
partment orders, and work uthorized since
the preliminary trial on October H. 1900,
have been fully complied with and that the
vessel Is Well built and efficient in all re-
spects, and shows no deterioration from
service since that date