Evening star., 1901-06-13
ILLINOIS BROKE THE RECORD.
New Battle Ship Made 1871 Knots on
Her Trial Trim.

New Battle Ship Made 1881 Knots on
Her Trial Trip.
The battle ship Illinois her trial trip
yesterday established a new record by
maintaining an average speed of 1871 knots
for four consecutive hours.
Not only did she demonstrate that she
was faster than any warship of her size
afloat, but she proved her ability to turn
upon an enemy with extraordinary quick
ness by describing a complete circle with
In 300 yards, or little more than twice her
length, In three minutes and ten seconds,
while plowing through the sea at full
speed Steadiness and reserve power
characterized the performance of the ship
throughout the severe test.
The work of her engines was smooth and
even, and the records of the day showed
but one-tenth of a knot difference in speed
between the northern run and the return.
The machinery easily met every require
ment, and not an accident of any kind mar
red the success of the day.
Rear Admiral Sampson, who was aboard
unofficially, and Rear Admiral Evans, who
acted as president of the trial board as
well as the other naval officers who par
ticipated in the trial, were thoroughly
pleased with the new champion, and as
she steamed back to her anchorage with
a broom at her masthead the officials of
the Newport News Shipbuilding Company,
whose three years of labor had reached
such a happy climax, were enthuSiastical-
ly congratulated.
The day could not have been more per-
feet for the trial Of battle ship. Hardly
a breath of air ruff1ed the water as the
vessel steamed out of Boston harbor.
The first mark boat, the converted yacht
Hist, was in sight just before 10 o'clock
and twelve minutes past that hour the ship
crossed the starting line with her engines
registering III revolutions to the minute.
The ship passed mark boat No. 2, the train
ing ship Lancaster, at a 17-knot gait, ~
minutes and 53 seconds after the start. The
next mark, the old Essex, was picked up
% minutes and 20 seconds later, the New
port in % minutes and IL seconds the Peo-
ria in % minutes and 3 seconds and the
naval tug Potomac, at buoy No. 6, indicat-
ing the end of the 33-knot run northward,
in p minutes and 36 seconds.
For part of the nOrthWard run the Illi-
nois had reached speed Of 1884 knots
an hour, and at no time did she drop be-
low 1887. Buoy was passed at l.: 2:O6 O7,
showing elapsed time for the run of
hour 81 minutes seconds, and an average
speed for the 80 knots of 1876 nautical
miles.
On the return the elapsed time between
buoys was about the same during the
maximum speed of 17.S4, with a mini
mum of 1857.
The finish line was passed and the speed
trial was over at 1888, the elapsed time
being 1:54:42, and the average speed for
the second half Of the trial Of 1925. The
completed figures for the entire 66 knots
gave 5:4S. 40 elapsed time, ana the average
speed 1871 knots per hour. Tidal correc-
tions may make slight alterations in these
figures but the changes are not likely to
affect the result materially.
While still going at top speed imme-
diately after crossing the finish line the
ships helm was thrown hard over and she
described a complete circle in minutes 10
seconds. Immediately she was turned again
in minutes seconds.
The Illinois is a sister ship of the Wis
consin, which has previously held the rec
ord for American first-class battle ships
with IT, 10 knots to her credit.
The Illinois will probably lie in Presi-
dents Roard until tomorrow, when she will
start back to Newport News.
Report of Admiral Evans,
News of the splendid performance OF the
battle ship Illinois on her trial trip came
to Secretary Long last night in a dispatch
from Admiral Robley D. Evans, the chair
man of the trial board. 1t contained the
same information as that in the press dis
patches. Secretary Long in a brief talk
on the fine performance Of the ship said:
''The result Is very satisfactory to the
officials Of the department. We knew that
the Illinois was fine ship and expected
her to make an excellent showing. We think
she will prove herself one of the best ships
in the American navy. The result speaks
admirably for the contractors, and 1t speaks
well also for the American shipbuilder. We
are in the lead. The Illinois is a very fine
ship and we ought to be proud Of it."
The official announcement Of the record
breaking run OF the Illinois, as conveyed In
a telegram received by Secretary Long
from Admiral Evans last night, was Is
follows:
illinois trial successful: speed, 1874,
Newport News tonight, and the board for
Washin4tou"